10 Questions to Ask Your Criminal Defense Lawyer at Your First Consultation
What Questions Should I Ask in an Initial Meeting with a Lawyer? In an initial consultation with an attorney, you should get the chance to thoroughly go over the facts of your case The lawyer should ask you questions to help understand the factual and legal issues. You may also want to ask the attorney the following:
Here are some suggestions for what to bring to your meeting with your attorney. A pen and pad of paper or the electronic equivalent! In the course of your conversation with your attorney, you will surely want to write down notes on any issues or questions that arise. A list of questions.
How frequently will the attorney be available? Ask about the attorney’s office hours and his or her availability generally. If you need to meet outside office hours, ask if this is possible. Also, find out if the attorney needs to meet frequently with you during office hours.
(The biggest exception to this, not surprisingly, is if you tell your lawyer that you are going to commit a crime, which information the lawyer may be duty-bound to convey to law-enforcement authorities.) In most cases, honesty is in your best interest. Lawyers seldom see cases that are cut and dried, with one party completely the "good guy."
Tips For Meeting With Your Lawyer For the First TimeDress To Impress. ... Be Ready To Give Your Attorney Important Information About Yourself. ... Gather Your Evidence And Have It Ready For Your First Meeting. ... Get Your Facts Straight. ... Plan Something You Can Look Forward To For After Your Meeting.
To prepare for this first meeting, you should do your homework and collect all the relevant documents you think you many need to present your case such as medical records, witness statements, police reports or receipts. Next, you should write down a summary of any memory you had from the incident.
Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•
10 Things You Should Know Before Contacting a LawyerHave Your Documents Ready. ... Research the Elements of Your Case. ... Don't Call if You Just Have a Question. ... You May Not Speak to a Lawyer Right Away. ... Do Not Ask the Legal Support Staff for Advice. ... Don't Provide Too Much Information. ... Answer the Lawyer's Specific Questions.More items...•
An Initial consultation is a 90 minute consultation for a new client who would like to meet with a psychologist to discuss current issues and/or concerns and talk about strategies and goals for therapy and/or a treatment plan.
Explain how the firm operates, what type of cases are generally handled, and how the firm will likely handle this particular case. Additionally, attorneys meeting with new clients should briefly explain their experience, education, and any noteworthy cases that could apply to the case at hand.
12 Tough Questions to Ask a LawyerWhat's your opinion of the probate process?Under what conditions do you recommend a Living Trust?How do I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?Can I keep my kids from controlling their entire inheritance at 18?More items...•
Tips for Talking to an AttorneyAlways be as honest and candid as possible about the facts of your case. ... Ask questions if you don't understand something that your attorney mentions or explains to you.Approach an attorney about your case as soon as you think you may need one.More items...•
During the consultation, the attorney will listen to the facts of your case and give you advice on the best way to approach each issue. Be candid and truthful with the attorney and tell him or her all pertinent facts related to your case, both good and bad.
Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.
When you correspond with a lawyer, you have two choices:Write the person using a standard courtesy title (“Mr. Robert Jones” or “Ms. Cynthia Adams”)Skip the courtesy title and put “Esquire” after the name, using its abbreviated form, “Esq.” (“Robert Jones, Esq.” or “Cynthia Adams, Esq.”)
How to Ask Another Attorney for HelpStep 1: Know What You Need To Ask. It is best to determine how much help you need before picking up the phone. ... Step 2: Be Respectful of Their Time and Schedule.Step 3: Respect Their Advice.