Lawyer vs. Trial Lawyer | Houston Criminal Attorneys
Lawyer vs Trial Lawyer in Houston
There’s a difference. Hello, my name is Dan Cogdell, I’m a lawyer here in Houston. I’ve been practicing law for 32 years. I’ve tried almost exclusively criminal defense cases.
I say I’m a lawyer but to be specific, I’m a trial lawyer. A lawyer sits behind a desk all day. They rarely go to the courthouse, they rarely interview witnesses, they rarely cross-examine witnesses, they rarely put on a case. A trial lawyer, on the other hand, tries cases. He tries them here, he tries them throughout the state, he tries them throughout the country. He knows what to do in a courtroom. When I give lectures on final arguments to the state bar groups and criminal defense groups, I always liken a criminal trial to a bar fight.
Being a Criminal Trial Lawyer in Houston
It’s not enough to know where the bar is. You’ve got to know who the bartender is, who the bouncer is, where the shotgun is, where the 22 under the bar is, who can crack a beer bottle, who can– it’s a street fight. A trial in a criminal case takes place very quickly. Evidence comes at you from a multitude of different directions sometimes and you’ve got to be prepared for that which you cannot be prepared for.
In other words, in a criminal trial, sometimes anything goes. You need to hire a lawyer with that seasoning, that experience and that capability to defend what is difficult to defend, to be prepared what is difficult to be prepared for. In other words, hire a lawyer who’s been there, done that and done it correctly. Whether it’s me or someone else. There are plenty of good lawyers out there, there are a few really good lawyers out there.
If you have any questions or comments about the kind of lawyer to hire, call me. I’m happy to help. If I’m not the right fit for you, I’ll find somebody who I think will be. My name is Dan Cogdell, thank you for listening.
By: Dan Cogdell