Manassas, VA criminal defense attorney Steve Duckett talks about why he became a lawyer and how he deals with prosecutors. He shares that he attributes his decision to become a lawyer to reading To Kill a Mockingbird in high school. Inspired by the story, he committed to a career in criminal defense, and for the past 27 years, he has practiced exclusively in this field. He has never diversified into other areas of law, dedicating his career entirely to defending clients in criminal matters.

In his view, dealing with prosecutors is about professional respect and strategy. While the relationship is adversarial, he approaches prosecutors as colleagues rather than enemies, focusing on building a reputation for preparedness and fearlessness at trial. By demonstrating a willingness to fully litigate a case rather than immediately accepting plea deals, he changes the dynamic in negotiations, ensuring prosecutors take his client seriously.

He maintains a consistent principle: unless there is a compelling reason, clients do not plead to charges as initially filed without securing meaningful concessions. By signaling that he is prepared to go to trial and make the prosecution “work” for a conviction, he often achieves better outcomes for his clients. Over time, this approach has built a reputation that strengthens his negotiating position and maximizes results.