Are you comfortable giving your freedom to a stranger over the internet?
If you’re reading this, odds are you aren’t.
But that’s what defendants have to do every day. And while I understand you probably wouldn’t blindly hire any random real estate lawyer off of Google…
What do you do if you’re charged with a crime?
Easy answer: your life literally depends on who you choose.
When people are arrested, charged, or generally stuck in a criminal situation, they are terrified. Nobody likes dealing with the law, but defendants don’t google “criminal lawyer near me” because they want to. They need immediate help and don’t know where to turn.
Let’s talk about reviews specifically…
Potential clients will look for reviews before they hire ANY attorney. But reviews are the deciding factor when searching for a criminal defense lawyer. Criminal Defense Attorneys have clients’ livelihoods on the line, which means they need reviews that will convince strangers to give them their business.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Criminal defense requires more trust.
- Reviews are the highest trust signal.
- Typical review things to look for.
- How to get those juicy reviews.
Criminal Defense Requires More Trust
At first glance, criminal defense is no different than any other practice area.
Except it is.
If you hire a divorce lawyer, you care about them handling your case with care. If you hire a personal injury lawyer, you care about them winning you maximum compensation. But if you hire a criminal lawyer…
You care about them keeping you OUT of jail.
“What’s the diff?”. Jail.
Jail is a place where you go if you committed a crime. If you work as a criminal defense attorney, you better believe clients will research you to death before hiring you.
Fear will drive their decision-making process.
Client reviews are how lawyers establish trust and credibility online. According to FindLaw’s 2024 Survey, clients who researched lawyers relied on reviews to make their decision.
But when lives are literally on the line, reviews will play an even more important role.
Client reviews are time-sensitive trust signals during frantic Google searches. Somebody getting arrested wants information RIGHT NOW.
Reviews Are the Highest Trust Signal
Think about how most legal work gets done.
Contract needs reviewed? You’ll ask around. Got injured at work? You’ll take your time deciding on a workers comp lawyer. But get charged with a crime?
Time isn’t on your side.
Criminal clients need to hire an attorney immediately. They don’t have weeks to interview lawyers. They barely have days. So how do you build instant trust?
Through reviews.
Imagine searching for a criminal lawyer late at night because you just got arrested. You won’t call the first attorney you see online. You’ll look for reviews. Lots and lots of reviews.
Here’s why criminal defense reviews are more important:
- Clients have ZERO time to make a decision.
- Reviews don’t sleep. Someone is looking 24/7.
- Potential clients need to feel confident. Your website won’t comfort them.
A recent study discovered that 90% of consumers trust law firm reviews online. If you’re a criminal defense attorney that means 9 out of 10 of your potential clients are trusting reviews when they make their decision.
Typical Review Things to Look For
Hey, we get it. Your clients aren’t sifting through every Google review before hiring you. Here’s what they are looking for:
- Attorney has previously won cases that are similar to theirs.
- Attorney fought for their clients.
- The attorney returns phone calls.
- Kind, caring person that actually cares.
Sound vague? It’s because your clients are scared. They don’t know what to look for. But scrutinizing every detail of your reviews is how they will find comfort before hiring you.
For Example:
“I was terrified after getting arrested for DUI. John returned my call within the hour and talked me through everything I needed to know. Not only did he keep me from going to jail, but he also got my charges dismissed!”
Priceless.
That review literally tells your potential clients everything they need to know about you in 2 short sentences.
Bottom line: clients want specifics.
Get Those Juicy Reviews
So how do you get clients to leave you reviews?
The easiest way is by asking.
I can’t stress this enough. Clients will leave you reviews if you just ask them. Create an automated system to send clients a happy-path review email after you deliver great results.
Time is of the essence
When you should ask for a review? After you won your client’s case. That’s when they’re happiest and most likely to give you a glowing review.
Let’s dive into a few tactics:
- Email clients asking for a review. Include a direct link to where they can leave you a review.
- Personalize the why. “Leave us a review about how John defended you against XYZ.”
- Respond to every review. Send a quick thank you for positive reviews and address the concern for negative reviews.
- Spend more time on negative reviews. Learn from your mistakes.
Also remember…
Confidentiality is crucial. Don’t ask your clients to divulge confidential information in a public forum. Request that they generalize the case type and specifics but hone in on the emotions they felt throughout the process.
Responding to Reviews
Your clients will leave reviews whether you like it or not. And while you should encourage happy clients to share their experiences…
You have no control over negative reviews.
The good news is how you respond to reviews is equally as important as the review itself. Taking the time to respond to reviews shows potential clients that you care about your reputation and your clients.
Responding to a positive review shows clients you appreciate their kind words. Responding to a negative review allows you to showcase your professionalism and character.
Remember, criminals don’t care too much about your law firm’s perfect online reputation. Your responses to reviews will speak volumes.
Competitive Advantage
You’re not the only criminal defense attorney in your city.
Chances are there are about 50 other lawyers fighting for the same clients you are. What sets you apart?
If you guessed reviews, you’re correct.
Advertising can help you spread awareness about your law firm, but it can’t prove to clients you’ve helped others like them. Your reviews will speak volumes about your authenticity and ability to handle criminal cases.
Clients who work with criminal defense lawyers don’t care about your pretty advertisements.
They want to know you can save their lives too. Reviews are how you prove to strangers that you’ve done it before.
Lawyers who leverage their reviews will always outshine lawyers who don’t.
Summary
Here’s a quick recap:
- Criminal lawyers need more trust from their clients.
- Client reviews are 24/7 trust signals.
- Clients read every review you’ve received.
- Ask for reviews after you’ve won your client’s case.
Client reviews are everything to criminal defense lawyers. You need reviews to prove to strangers that you actually know what your doing. When dealing with criminal matters, clients can’t afford to trust the wrong lawyer.
Get the trust signals clients are looking for by asking for reviews.
Trust me.
Julhas Alam is a seasoned SEO strategist and the leading voice behind the insightful articles at LawFirmSEOExpert.com. With a rich background in digital marketing and a specialized focus on the legal sector, Julhas combines industry expertise with a deep understanding of SEO to deliver actionable insights and strategies tailored for law firms. Holding a passion for data-driven results and cutting-edge SEO techniques, Julhas has been instrumental in boosting online visibility and client acquisition for numerous law practices. When not dissecting search engine algorithms or exploring the latest digital marketing trends, Julhas enjoys reading success stories of other businesses, adding a personal touch to their professional acumen.