I am a trial attorney.  I have been a criminal defense trial attorney for my entire career.  I prepare every case with our trial strategy in mind.  This does not mean that every case should go to trial. Many defendants in criminal cases reach favorable outcomes via plea bargains.  However, every case should be prepared as if it is going to trial. This is how I approach every case.  When you have prepared a case for trial, you know the weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case and can leverage your right to a jury trial to negotiate a better deal. If you are seeking a plea bargain in your case, there is no greater source of negotiating power than the prosecutor knowing your attorney is prepared to go to trial. 

Some attorneys will quote you a fee for your case and tell you that this fee includes representation “through preliminary hearing,” or, “up to trial,” or, “for settlement.”  At the Law Offices of David Canty, we do not believe in this approach.  If your case is one that needs to go to trial, you should hire an attorney who is willing to do the trial. If your case is one that you believe should settle, I can think of no greater blow to your negotiating position than your attorney announcing that he or she will not remain on the case for the long haul. You are, in effect, announcing to the court and prosecutor that your lawyer has no interest in trying the case.  I do not believe that this approach results in the best outcome for a client.  If you are charged with a crime, you should hire a trial lawyer.