The Tax Defense Attorney, on a good day, with the wind blowing in the right direction, keeps you out of jail. The IRS has a 90% conviction rate... so most lawyers have difficulty winning criminal tax cases. Before hiring an attorney, you need to know about the cases he has won.
The Tax Defense Lawyer knows the obvious signs that you are under investigation that may not be apparent to others. How to derail it? How to get into compliance? How to prepare a defense?
Criminal tax investigations don't look like trials in the movies or on television. They take years. The IRS investigators are the best in the government. They have unlimited resources. They have almost unlimited time. During this time, there are many opportunities for a Tax Defense Attorney to try to convince the IRS not to prosecute you. Also see Criminal Tax Fraud & Tax Evasion.
The person leading the criminal tax investigation is usually a Special Agent. The Special Agent often knows more about you than many of your family members. The difference is, unlike a beloved family member, the Special Agent has your worst interest at heart. He also knows that the IRS wins 90% of these cases, so it’s important for his career to win. If he knows that you are well represented, it may make a difference. If he knows that your attorney has never won a case, or even worse, never even tried a case in front of a jury, that too may make a difference.
The Tax Defense Attorney also knows that, sadly, many IRS Agents, and even worse, many IRS Lawyers will use dishonest tactics to bring you in. And, many only care about getting a conviction. A conviction means to them that you are guilty... and the ends justify the means. The IRS often presumes guilt.