---
title: What Standards Must State Criminal Defense Attorneys Meet?
slug: state-criminal-defense-standards
article_type: Help Article
keywords: state criminal defense, standards
url: https://www.nlada.org/defender-standards/performance-guidelines/black-letter
published_date: 2025-10-27T00:00:00
---

State criminal defense attorneys must provide zealous, competent advocacy, keep clients informed, avoid conflicts of interest, and meet continuing legal education standards. These professional benchmarks ensure quality representation in criminal cases.nlada