If so, it’s officially time to hire a criminal lawyer. Of course, your first question might be how to find a criminal lawyer near me. But it is also important to find a lawyer who is not only local but also has a lot of experience. To help you, we’ve put together a simple guide to questions to ask your criminal lawyer.
These questions are simple and practical to get to know different lawyers before hiring them.
What is your availability?
First off, you’re going to want to start by asking each attorney about their current availability. Although they may have a great deal of experience, it is essential to ensure that they have the capacity to take on your case. If they have a variety of other cases going on, they might not have enough time to give your case what it needs and deserves. You should also make sure that this lawyer is ready to work for you on evenings and weekends. Depending on the seriousness of your case, you will want a lawyer who is ready to work around the clock.
What is your experience?
Of course, you’re going to want to work with an attorney who has experience. Remember, your freedom could be at stake here. In order to give yourself a fighting chance, you are going to want to work with an experienced professional who has been through this situation before. It is also important to ensure that this experience is relevant to your business. While they may have great experience in one area, they might not have that same level of experience in another.
What is your favorite field?
Likewise, you will want to ask what this attorney’s area of specialization is. Many lawyers specialize in certain areas. This can range from accusations of sexual harassment and drunk driving to money fraud and drug trafficking. Consider the case of a defendant charged with drunk driving. This is a serious charge that deserves a lawyer who specializes in this area. Without this kind of specialization, your attorney might not know how to best handle this case.
What are your rates?
In a short and simple way, it is imperative to know the rates of your lawyer. It is also important to know how and when you are going to be billed. For example, will you be paying for this lawyer’s services on a regular basis or will you receive a large bill once the case is over? Let’s be honest, this type of representation doesn’t come cheap. Ultimately, it helps to have a general idea of what the impending costs will be.
Do you have any hidden costs?
Then it’s time to clarify whether this lawyer has hidden or unclarified costs. For example, what is the cost of routine communication with your attorney? Will it send you an invoice for all emails that have been exchanged in total? Or is this type of communication considered free? Before you hire a lawyer, you’re going to want to understand the ins and outs of all their potential fees.
Who will work on my case?
Before making the decision to hire a lawyer, make sure you know exactly who will be working on your case. For example, the lawyer you met initially might work as a team. So, although you met this person initially, it is possible that a member of his team is handling the case. Although this is not necessarily a negative point, it is better to know who will work on your file from the start.
Do you expect the case to go to court?
Did you know that your case could be solved before you even have to go to court? The truth is that it is common for cases to be resolved before going to trial. In fact, only 2% of federal criminal defendants go to trial. Sometimes cases are thrown out and other times plea bargains are arranged. Do not hesitate to ask your lawyer how he views this case. Your attorney should have a basic idea of whether your case is likely to go to court or not.
Every lawyer has a different approach and a different strategy to winning. Don’t be afraid to be upfront about asking your lawyer how they plan to win your case. What strategies and plans will he implement to increase your chances of winning? You should also make sure that your moral code matches that of your attorney. Being in tune when it comes to morality is absolutely crucial when it comes to choosing your portrayal.
Do you have support?
Does this lawyer work as a team? If not, you’re going to want to find out what kind of support it has. This is especially the case for more complex scenarios which may require the brainpower of more than one lawyer. If your case is complicated, you want peace of mind that it won’t be handled by just one person. Some criminal lawyers work in teams, which allows for additional support. Knowing that your lawyer has support and advice behind them will help give you more confidence.
Will a jury be involved?
If this case goes to trial, does the judge expect a jury to be involved? A jury is often made up of 6 to 12 civilians who help decide the outcome of the case. If a jury is involved, you are going to want to know in advance how your attorney is going to handle this. For example, does he have any particular strategies for dealing with juries? Or, is your case likely to even reach a jury?
