A criminal attorney will work to build your defense in the event your case goes to trial, and they will also act as a negotiator to ensure any plea bargain is favorable to you. The majority of criminal cases end in plea bargaining and your attorney is there to make sure you get the best deal possible in exchange for not going to trial. The best time to have an attorney is of course before you actually need one, but when you are ready for an attorney here are some things to look for to get the best possible lawyer you can.