what questions to ask a lawyer about criminal charges

^{10 Questions to Ask Your Criminal Defense Lawyer}

1. How Long Have You Been Practicing Law? Do You Focus on Criminal Defense Exclusively? ...
2. How Much Experience Have You had With My Type of Criminal Charge? Are you facing DUI charges which are a very complex field of criminal defense? ...
3. How Many Jury Trials Have You Conducted? If your case goes to trial, you will want an attorney who has the courtroom presence and skills to aggressively argue your ...
4. Is the Lawyer Certified in Criminal Law by the State Bar or the Supreme Court in Your State? ...
5. Will This Attorney be the One Who Ultimately Handles Your Case? Or Will It be Turned Over to a Case Manager, Junior Lawyer, or Other Assistant? ...
What are the Legal Fees Going to be Concerning Your Case? How Will Fees be Impacted if Your Case Goes to Trial? ...
Is This Attorney a Member of Any Professional Organizations, Such as the National College of DUI Defense, the National Trial Lawyers Association, or Others? ...
What Type of Reputation Does This Attorney Have? Has he/she earned a good or even excellent rating with Avvo or Martindale-Hubbell, both national organizations which rank lawyers and their ...
Does He/She Treat You With Respect and Dignity, Listen to Your Needs and Objectives, and Engage in Meaningful Communication With You as a Human Being? ...
Does the Attorney Inspire Confidence?

Full Answer

What questions should I ask when hiring a criminal defense attorney?

Get Legal Help Today. If you are under investigation or have been charged with a state or federal offense in North Carolina, call the Law Offices of Keith A. Williams, P.A., today. You can reach my Greenville office at 252-565-4661 or via email. See us in the News. & Recent Publications.

How can I find a lawyer to defend my boyfriend's case?

Ask a Lawyer to get an answer or read through our 456 previously answered Criminal Defense questions. Criminal Law. Legal Issue. Administrative. Admiralty And Maritime. Adoptions. Alcoholic Beverages. Alternative Dispute Resolution. Americans With Disabilities Act.

Should I hire a criminal defense attorney?

May 06, 2022 · Top 11 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Felony Defense Lawyer 1. What Are Your Professional and Educational Credentials? When facing criminal charges, you want to hire a qualified... 2. What’s Your Experience in Criminal Law? Experience is crucial when hiring a lawyer. An attorney with many years ...

How do I find a lawyer to pay for a lawyer?

Dec 14, 2010 · statements, video and audio tapes, photographs and other material provided through "discovery" by the Prosecutor? Has the attorney made copies of all of it and reviewed it with you? What is your attorney's evaluation of the evidence? What is the "worst evidence" against you? Has you attorney considered not only what evidence is there, but what evidence is not …

What are some good questions to ask a lawyer?

What should I ask a criminal?

What are 3 questions you should ask a lawyer before hiring?

Can a lawyer know you did the crime?

How do you question a defendant?

How do I ask my lawyer for an update?

What lawyers should not tell?

What do most lawyers charge for a contingency fee?

How do I prepare for an attorney interview?

Do lawyers have to defend the guilty?

Can your lawyer snitch on you?

What should you not say in court?

Can a lawyer assess a case?

While it’s not possible to fully assess your entire case in an initial consultation, a good lawyer should at least give you some insight into how they would handle your case so that you can make an informed decision about whether they are the right lawyer.

What are the areas of criminal law?

Unsurprisingly, there are various areas of criminal law, including domestic violence, sex crimes, theft, drug, and violent crimes, among many other areas. Before hiring a lawyer, make sure that they have the experience and expertise needed to defend the specific charge that you are facing. 3.

1. Are you the attorney who will handle my case?

If you find yourself having a consultation with a larger law firm, you'll need to be clear on which attorney will be handling your case. In many situations, you might meet with a senior member of the law firm for your initial consultation, but your case could then be passed on to a junior attorney who will wind up handling it.

2. Have you worked with clients who faced similar charges?

One of the top questions you need to ask your criminal defense attorney is if he or she has worked with clients who faced similar charges. This gives you a good idea whether or not this particular attorney has plenty of experience in this area. When taking on criminal charges, you want someone who has dealt with these situations before.

3. What is your preliminary evaluation of my case?

Next, use the initial consultation to your advantage by asking the attorney for a preliminary evaluation of your case. This is your opportunity to find out what an attorney thinks of your case right off the bat. You can determine which defenses are available to you and which one might be best suited for you.

4. What should I do to improve the outcome of my case?

In many situations, there are things you can do that will give you a better chance at receiving a positive outcome in your case. Ask your attorney if there are any records you can provide to him/her or to the court that would be beneficial to you. Find out if there are any classes you can enroll in.

5. What is your fee structure?

Hiring a criminal defense attorney will not come cheap, but it's crucial if you want to limit the impact criminal charges could wind up having on your personal life. Don't be afraid to ask a potential attorney just how much everything is going to cost.

What time do you call a lawyer?

Select the best time for you to receive a follow-up call from a lawyer after your question is answered. ( Required field) Morning (8:00AM to 12:00PM) Afternoon (12:00PM to 5:00PM) Evening (5:00PM to 9:00PM) Other. AM PM.

Can the government prosecute you?

Yes. The government, which would be prosecuting you, made no agreement not to. However, depending on the circumstances (i.e. the amount of money involved, your record, etc.) and the fact that you paid the money back, there's a good chance that teh government won't want to prosecute, or if it does and you are convicted (difficult if your employer keeps his word... Read More

DISCOVERY -- EVIDENCE -- INVESTIGATION

DISCOVERY -- EVIDENCE -- INVESTIGATION#N#Has your lawyer obtained and reviewed all "Discovery", including: police reports, witness#N#statements, video and audio tapes, photographs and other material provided through "discovery" by the Prosecutor? Has the attorney made copies of all of it and reviewed it with you? What is your attorney's evaluation of the evidence? What is the "worst evidence" against you? Has you attorney considered not only what evidence is there, but what evidence is not there (missing)? What physical or testimony evidence does the prosecution rely on open to challenge? Or what evidence does the DA not have that could mean dismissal of your case? Are there eyewitnesses that should be interviewed? What sort of defense investigation should be conducted to find that evidence to disprove your guilt?.

CLIENT ACTIONS - What should you do?

CLIENT ACTIONS - What should you do?#N#Sometimes there are steps you can (and should) take which will dramatically lessen your sentence.

STRATEGY

STRATEGY#N#What is your lawyer's preliminary evaluation of the case against you? What defenses are available to you? What is the best defense strategy? What are the risks and benefits of strategy? Can your attorney mount a successful defense at trial or is it in your best interests to plea bargain?

COSTS

COSTS#N#How much defense investigation needs to be done, and what will it cost? Do you need to hire Expert Witnesses to testify for you at trial? How much will they cost? Is their testimony worth it? What is the time table preparing for trial; how long will the trial last and what will it cost?

SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES

SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES#N#Are there any Sentencing Alternatives to standard Jail that you may be eligible for, such as electronic home detention, Sheriff's Work Program, Work Furlough, or community service? Are there any standard or creative Probationary Terms that are preferable to you which will satisfy the prosecution and court's concerns and allow you to receive a lesser sentence, easier to accept? Some clients want to avoid fines, others want to keep their driver's license, others want to avoid jail, and others who are not citizens, just want to remain in the U.S.

MOTIONS -- Legal Defenses (Due Process and your constitutional rights

CONCLUSION This case is not just any case; it’s your case! You deserve the best defense from an attorney who considers all of these questions.

The Criminal Lawyer's Background & Experience

When you first meet with a criminal lawyer, its important to find out if he or she has prior experience defending against similar charges. If you are charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, for example, you dont need a lawyer who primarily defends felony murder suspects. Some questions to ask include:

Assessment of Your Case

Whether you are charged with a crime in county, state, or federal court, youll want your criminal defense attorney to give you a good idea of whats to come. Some relevant questions to ask are:

Case Management

Case management is the term lawyers use to describe how a cases logistics are handled. Its important to know what goes on behind the scenes with your case, so that there are no misunderstandings. Relevant questions to ask include:

Legal Fees

Most criminal lawyers will either charge by the hour, also known as an hourly fee, or ask for a flat fee. Rates can be competitive, so it pays to shop around. However, lawyers with a good reputation may charge more.

Hiring a Criminal Lawyer

After meeting with a criminal lawyer or two, its time to choose one. You may have only met with one but are confident that you found your attorney. Or, maybe you met with several, but one was clearly more qualified. Your decision, then, is an easy one.

What happens if a criminal case goes to trial?

In other cases, a defense attorney can work out a plea agreement with the prosecutor. Finally, if the case does go to trial there is the possibility of a not guilty or guilty verdict.

What to do if you are charged with a crime in Los Angeles?

If you have been charged with a crime, one of the most important things you can do is hire a qualified Los Angeles defense attorney. However, not all criminal defense lawyers are going to be of the same quality.

Do criminal defense attorneys take money?

In fact, there are many criminal defense attorneys who will gladly take your money, represent you in court, but know very little about your case and contact you infrequently. That is not what you are looking for in a criminal defense lawyer. Instead of hanging your hopes on a lawyer that might not be able to get the job done, ...

Is there a lawyer in your area?

There is a good chance that there is a lawyer in your area who specializes in the exact type of law related to your case . You can ask lawyers you are considering hiring what their area of specialty is. If it is not related to your case you should probably continue your search. In some cases, a lawyer you are interviewing might even be able ...

Can a criminal defense attorney drop charges?

With any criminal defense case, there are a number of possible outcomes. In some cases and for a variety of reasons, the prosecution might choose to drop all charges. In other cases, a defense attorney can work out a plea agreement with the prosecutor.

How long does it take for a felony to go to trial?

On the other hand, felony cases that go to trial can take over a year to run their course and appeals could take even longer.

What is the key to a strong defense?

Communication between a lawyer and their client is the key to any strong defense. Tell any lawyer you are considering hiring that you expect regular communication and that you want to be informed of any updates in your case.