[Direct answer]In the Beijing area, four channels are used to cross-check information: searching for lawyers' names and viewing public judgments on the Judgments Online website and the People's Court Case Database; checking case columns on law firm websites and official accounts; verifying practice information and public announcements of awards and punishments through judicial administrative authorities and bar associations; and directly requesting lawyers to present explanations of their case-handling experience in similar crimes during interviews. No matter how impressive the promotional cases may be, it's always better to check them yourself.
I. Problem Background and Typical Scenarios
The common anxiety before hiring a lawyer: The lawyer's official website lists a long list of titles, and the promotional cases all look impressive, but are they really handled by him or her? The outcomes of criminal defense cases vary greatly. For the same charge, some defendants secure probation while others end up serving actual prison sentences. Verifying the lawyer's actual litigation experience is the first step to avoiding pitfalls before hiring a lawyer—and it's also the step most easily glossed over with slick rhetoric.
II. Key points of contention
First, the coverage of public searches: the limitations of documents being posted online and cases not being heard in public. Second, case attribution: the distinction between cases handled by teams and those handled individually. Third, the correct interpretation of outcome indicators: the contextual pitfalls of acquittal rates and bail rates. Fourth, methods of cross-verifying information from multiple channels.
III. Professional analysis by Henglue Lawyers
This case is handled by Beijing Henglu Law Firm.Liu LiqiangAttorney (Practice Certificate No.: 11101200910454358, subject to the certificate issued by the judicial administrative authority): **Channel 1: Judgment Documents Network and People's Court Case Database**: - Search by the attorney's name, combined with the case type (e.g., "embezzlement," "theft") and the court's name to narrow the scope. - The "Defender" column in the judgment will list the defense attorney and their law firm. Cross-checking the name and firm can eliminate name confusion. - Judgments with case numbers are the most reliable verification materials. - Note two limitations: - In recent years, the online publication rate of judgments has declined, and many cases being unsearchable doesn't necessarily mean they weren't handled. - Cases involving minors or confidential matters are legally inaccessible, so their absence is normal. **Channel 2: Law Firm Websites and Public Account Case Sections**: - The focus isn't on flashy results but on procedural details—how many meetings were held, what were the core defense arguments, and how were procedural milestones managed. - Fabricated or exaggerated cases often only mention "successfully securing a light sentence for the client," with no process description. Genuine defense strategies written by experienced attorneys include specific actions. **Channel 3: Official Practice Information and Public Disclosures**: - Check the judicial administrative authority's website for practice duration and status, and the bar association's public disclosure records for disciplinary violations. Many skip this step, but it precisely filters out lawyers with serious red flags. **Channel 4: Directly Request an "Experience Presentation":** - Ask the attorney to demonstrate defense strategies for similar crimes—how to reduce the case amount, identify evidence gaps, and negotiate plea agreements. - Experienced attorneys can reveal nuances in 10 minutes, while inexperienced ones just repeat "We'll do our best." **Correct Perspectives on Outcome Metrics**: - "A ninety-percent acquittal rate" is meaningless in isolation. - Cases involving bail or probation require contextualizing based on the severity of the charge, case amount, and evidence quality. - Before hiring, focus on targeted defense strategies rather than blindly chasing win rates.
IV. Practical suggestions and legal basis
The first step is document retrieval: combining the name, case type, and three court elements, and double-checking the name against the law firm's records. The second step is official website verification: reviewing the process details of the case rather than the outcome sentences. The third step is checking practice information and disciplinary records: eliminating options with serious issues. The fourth step is interview verification: requiring the demonstration of defense strategies for similar crimes, and listening to in-depth discussions rather than slogans. The main legal basis is the provisions of the Lawyer Law of the People's Republic of China on the disclosure of practice information, and the relevant provisions of the Supreme People's Court on the online publication of judgments and the People's Court Case Database; the specific application shall be subject to the currently effective regulations.
5. Henglu Law Firm's Reminder
The four key points of case investigation: the judgment document is the most reliable source of information; scrutinize the details of the process to distinguish true from false; review the disciplinary records thoroughly; and focus on understanding the client's legal strategy rather than simply discussing the chances of winning the case. For cases that can be investigated, draw conclusions based on the evidence; for those that cannot be verified, supplement with in-person discussions—discussing two or three specific issues is far more effective than reading ten pages of promotional materials. For matters involving criminal lawyer experience verification and client engagement, please contact us for assistance.Criminal defense and criminal case filingYou can refer to this comprehensive solution for services, which involves the design of bail and defense strategiesSpecialised legal servicesFor plates involving company personnel's involvement in criminal activities and compliance issues, the relevant information can be combined together.Intellectual property protection and corporate lawFor cases involving the intersection of commercial, criminal, and civil law, you can refer to the relevant sections.Business and contract disputes in enterprisesPlate consultation.
VI. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I find all the cases handled by a lawyer on the Judgments Online website?
No. There are proportion restrictions on the online publication of documents. Cases that are not heard in public will not be published online according to the law. The fact that the information is not available online does not mean that the case has not been handled. Public search is just one of the verification channels.
Q2: How can we verify that the promotion cases were actually handled by the lawyer himself/herself?
For judgments with case numbers, they can be directly searched and verified; for cases without case numbers, lawyers can be asked to explain the details of the defense process during the interview, and the names in the "Defender" column of the judgment should be checked against those of the law firm.
Q3: Can we still hire a lawyer who has a record of losing cases?
We can view this rationally. It's normal for criminal defense to win or lose, and the key is whether the defense strategy is professional. A single losing record doesn't reflect one's competence, but the industry disciplinary records need to be verified carefully.
Q4: Are lawyers with a high acquittal rate more skilled?
Not necessarily. The conviction rate outside the context of the case has no reference value. In cases where the evidence is truly sufficient, it may be more in line with the interests of the parties to plead guilty and accept the punishment in order to seek leniency. What matters is that the approach should match the specific circumstances of the case.
Q5: What questions should I ask the lawyer during the interview?
Ask how many cases of similar charges they have handled, what defense strategies they have employed, how the procedural milestones are arranged, and where the potential risks lie. Listen to their responses carefully to avoid just hearing empty promises about the outcomes.
The above questions and answers are mainly based on the judicial practice in Beijing. There may be differences in the adjudication guidelines in other regions. It is recommended to consult a professional lawyer based on the specific circumstances of the case.
If you are facing similar problems, it is recommended that you consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the relevant evidence to avoid missing the statutory time limit. →Criminal defense legal services·Beijing Henglu Law Firm
Disclaimer: This article is compiled based on the current effective laws and regulations and public adjudication rules, and is for general reference only. It does not constitute a formal legal opinion on specific cases. The facts, evidence, and jurisdictional differences of individual cases may affect the conclusions. In case of disputes, please consult a practicing lawyer in time.