Important Questions to Ask During Criminal Defense Consultations

There are countless lawyers out there, and there may come a time in your life when you need to call on their services, even if you’re someone who regularly follows the rules and abides by the laws that govern society.

People might find themselves caught up in auto accidents, for example, and accused of being responsible for causing the accident, or they could end up facing charges related to white collar crimes, drug crimes, or other kinds of crime.

In any of these situations, it’s vital to contact a trusted criminal defense lawyer who can gather evidence, understand the specifics of the case, and build up arguments in order to defend you in court.

However, with so many different legal firms to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? Well, consultations are a good place to start.

Consultations allow you to speak with lawyers, explain the case, and ask questions of them before deciding if you want to hire them. Here are some key questions to always ask a criminal defense lawyer during a consultation.

How Much Experience Do You Have?

Experience is arguably the most valuable factor to take into account when trying to find a lawyer to defend you against criminal charges.

Young and graduate lawyers may have a lot of training, but it’s the real-world experience of handling cases and defending the clients that help them become true masters of their craft.

It’s wise, therefore, to start off by asking about your lawyer’s experiences levels and especially note if they have experience handling similar cases to your own.

Will You Be Easily Accessible and Contactable?

When facing criminal charges, many people find themselves experiencing a lot of stress, fear, and panic. This is perfectly natural, and part of your lawyer’s duty is to help calm your fears and inspire you with confidence.

It’s normal, therefore, that you may want to contact your lawyer quickly and easily when you have questions or doubts or just want to get some updates on how your case is progressing.

It’s worth asking this question, as it will help you see how accessible your lawyer will be. Some lawyers are open for calls and messages all day long, but others can be more cut-off and aloof in their approach.

What Are Your Credentials?

As well as learning about a lawyer’s experience levels, it’s also important to know a little more about their actual qualifications.

After all, if you were hiring someone to carry out some work on your car or house, you’d want to make sure that they know what they’re doing, and the same logic applies here.

Ask about your lawyer’s education, what law school they went to, what kinds of qualifications they obtained if they received any kind of honors and awards, and what professional legal organizations they’re a member of.

What Is Your Success Rate?

Naturally, when looking for a criminal defense lawyer, you primarily will want to find someone who has a good chance of defending you successfully against the charges you’re facing, helping you avoid court, negotiate an out-of-court settlement, and attain a fair and reasonable outcome.

Finding an experienced and highly qualified lawyer, therefore, isn’t always enough. It’s also important to find one that has a good rate of success and a proven track record, so it’s wise to ask about their success rate and see how good they really are and what they do.

Who Will Actually Work on My Case?

This is another important question because there are many situations in which legal firms have several attorneys working on different cases, so the person you consult with might not actually be the one who handles your case.

Some firms also employ inexperienced or junior associates and could delegate some tasks to these associates. This can be of benefit to you in some ways, as the fees may be cheaper, but many people want to have the best eyes on their case at all times to get the very best results.

Conclusion

These are just some of the many questions you might want to get answered during your consultation with a criminal defense lawyer. It’s also recommended to ask about fees and payments too in order to make sure that you can afford the lawyer you’re working with, and you should really make the most of consultations to learn as much as possible before making any big decisions about who will defend you as the case goes on.