Top Criminal Defense Attorneys - Trial Experience Requirements

By Stephen G. Cobb, Board Certified Criminal Trial Law Specialist

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By now you have learned that you don't know what you don't know and so-called "reviews" are nothing more than yet another way to manipulate you financially. This is also true for every criminal defense lawyer in the country. Both are exploited for the benefit of Google's profit making ad server erroneously called "search".

In addition to the problem of random client satisfaction Google reviews instead of an actual professional review process, people have become so programmed to avoid thinking that they fail to ask questions such as a criminal defense lawyer's skill, experience, qualifications, number of similar criminal cases handled, or even find their way to the courthouse. This is precisely why the Florida Bar requires real specialists to have a minimum of 25 trials and a minimum of 5 years of experience practicing law.

The number of trials may seem to be a very low bar. This is simply because real court is nothing like you see in fictional movies and series. See my short video, What Happens Next? In under a minute you will see and hear why cases take so long in criminal court litigation.

Let's examine this trial requirement carefully because it is very specific:

• 20 of the 25 must be in front of a jury. 5 may be probation or community control violation evidentiary hearings or bench trials where the judge finds facts without a jury.
• 15 of the 25 must be serious and complex felony cases. For example, the first two criminal trials on my initial application were a mass murder case and a capital sexual battery.

There is more detail involved by a long shot, but you get the idea: one form of “reviews” is nothing more than random opinions while certification is the real deal. Bar certified criminal law experts in trial and/or appellate law.

Think about this carefully: does an experienced prosecutor take your lawyer seriously if they have very little trial experience? Of course not. This is critical whether you are seeking a jury trial victory, a reduction, dismissal or substitution of charge. There is simply no substitute for trial experience if a lawyer is going to specialize.

This omission is one of the biggest flaws with Google's review process: actual expertise is not required.

More problematic is the fact that the vast majority of Florida criminal defense lawyers do not have at least 25 trials yet Google is as silent as a mouse about this when you or your family's future may be greatly impacted by this lack of trial experience.

If you or someone you care about needs a top criminal defense attorney, then your best bet is to look for certification by the Florida Bar.