Being arrested and charged with a criminal offence is a distressing and frightening experience and it is vital that you get yourself legal representation immediately.
However, although this is a highly time sensitive matter, it is also not a decision that you want to make rashly as picking the wrong lawyer could seriously harm your chances of a favourable outcome in any settlement or court proceedings.
When choosing your attorney it is, therefore a good idea to ask them some detailed questions about their experience and how they plan on handling your case.
This will help you to avoid spending valuable time and money on legal aid that may actually do more harm than good when it comes to building a strong defence.
Questions to ask a criminal lawyer in an initial meeting
Before you even meet with any criminal lawyers you should do some background research to identify some suitable candidates based on online reviews, recommendations from family and friends, or previous case history.
Once you have narrowed down your search in this manner it is time to start speaking to some criminal lawyers in person.
Most lawyers will offer a free consultation allowing you to ask your questions without having to commit to hiring their services.
Here are eight of the most important questions to ask when attending an initial appointment with a defence attorney:
How long have you been a lawyer?
This is a nice introductory question that gives you an idea of the lawyer’s experience and one which they should have no problem in answering.
Lawyers with extensive experience are more likely to have handled cases similar to yours in the past, know what to expect and be able to guide you through the process.
However, time isn’t everything and the quality and relevance of their experience is far more important that the number of cases that they have handled.
Who is on your team?
The last thing you want having found the perfect lawyer is for your case to be handed over to their associates and have limited access to your lawyer themselves.
A big team can be useful as more minds will be working towards finding the right defence but it is important to find out straight away how involved the attorney themselves will be, how big their team is, and the experience that the individuals in the said team have.
What is your specialty?
All good lawyers have their specialties, even within criminal law itself and just because a lawyer has had success in one area does not mean that they are well suited to another.
Make sure that your chosen lawyer has a history of expertise within the field.
What do you need from me?
You should be included as much as you want to be in the process of building your defence.
At the end of the day your lawyer is your representative.
Ask what they will expect from you during the process leading up to trial and what documentation or information they will need you to supply.
This will help avoid any nasty surprises later down the line.
How much will this cost?
Choosing the cheapest lawyer available is rarely a wise move but a good lawyer should be able to give you a clear outline of their fee structure.
If additional services are required, the cost of this should also be explained at an early stage.
Payment concerns or disputes over fees are the last thing that you need during a busy criminal case and being stuck with an unexpected bill that you can’t afford to pay right before trial and losing the services of your lawyer as a result could be devastating to the outcome.
What communication will you have?
Having an established method of communication is vital between you and your lawyer.
You should be able to contact them when required and know that if something important happens in relation to the case that they will be able to get in touch with you and how.
What is the process?
If you are reading this article there is a good chance you have never before hired a Criminal Defense Lawyer and, therefore, have never before faced criminal charges.
Facing the process for the very first time can be daunting and confusing and your lawyer should give you an idea of what to expect at each stage.
They should explain at this stage what the process will look like and how long it usually takes.
What will the outcome be?
No lawyer will be able to say for certain what the outcome of a criminal case may be.
No matter their experience or how strong your defence is on paper, nothing is guaranteed and they should make this clear from the start.
A lawyer who tells you the outcome is assured either way from the start should be avoided at all costs.