How to choose criminal defence counsel

A criminal case is not a low-price market or a contest of polished websites. What matters is advocate status, relevant experience, discretion and clear rules of engagement.

Verify registration with the regional chamber of advocates — without advocate status, attorney–client privilege does not operate in the form a private client expects.

Ask about experience in your category: economic offences, official misconduct, tax episodes and enforcement-heavy investigations require different tempo and tactics.

Evaluate communication: who responds at night, how often you receive status updates, who personally leads the file versus who merely fronts the brand.

Fee and scope matter more than a discount. Mandate, boundaries and remuneration should be fixed in a written agreement; indicative figures belong in the client cabinet, not on a public price list.

If counsel avoids hard questions about risks and realistic scenarios, that is a signal. A first meeting should include uncomfortable questions — that is normal.