Whether or not you are in a bind to find a good criminal defense lawyer, it would be good to keep in mind these pointers on determining a good criminal defense attorney.

1. Lawyer Specialization
Look at the lawyer's background. Does he or she have specialization in criminal defense? Just because on is an attorney does not mean that he or she automatically qualifies as a good criminal defense lawyer.

Lawyers are a lot like doctors. And the legal field is pretty much similar to the medical field. There is a host of specializations and fortes making having one lawyer adept at all close to impossible. And in the same wise that you wouldn't trust a brain operation on a dermatologist, you should stick to a defense crime lawyer when you need such representation in cases.

Also look at past case performance to see if the lawyer is fit to represent you fully in your case. If the lawyer has had experience in cases similar to yours, and has been able to perform well and respectably, then that would be a good thing to look out for.

2. Try Him for the First 30 Minutes
You will probably decide whether the lawyer is worth it during the first 30 minutes of meeting the person. While the first few minutes of meeting will not give you an accurate gauge of the lawyer's services, it will still give you enough information to decide whether the person should represent you at all.

Pay close attention to how the lawyer listens to you during the initial interview. Does the lawyer listen intently paying close attention to details and asking pertinent questions at crucial junctures? Or is the lawyer just blowing by the interview and missing important details?