Helping a Criminal Attorney to Help You
In order for a criminal attorney to help you, you have to be willing to help him too. This help starts with answering all of his questions as honestly and accurately as possible.
As you go about answering the questions asked of you, do not lie and do not hold anything back. Even if you think that small details are not relevant, it is important to disclose them.
Be aware that confidentiality rules for first meetings will protect everything that you have to say to the lawyer. The criminal attorney is not permitted by law to repeat anything you have said to him to anyone else. Even if you decide to hire a different lawyer for your case, all of the other attorneys you consult with to talk about your case are bound by the same rules. The answers you provide to them must be kept in confidence. Knowing this should help put your mind at ease. You can talk freely about the circumstances surrounding the criminal charges that you face.
Once a criminal attorney is able to clearly understand the charges that are pending against you, you can start your own period of questions. You both have questions and you both need the answers to make the right decisions.
You need to have a prepared list of questions to pose to the attorney you meet with. Refer to your list frequently. Leave nothing out. You want to feel confident that all of your questions have been sufficiently answered when you leave the law firm.
Some people have special needs. If you are one of those people, ask the legal professional about these needs at your initial meeting. For example, you may wish to communicate with the lawyer in a language other than English. Another example would be if you require the lawyer to see you during the weekend. Do not be shy. You need to mention these items at the consultation. Lay all of your cards on the table. Find out if the defense lawyer is able to accommodate your needs. You want to prevent any disappointment and/or frustration down the line.
Meet with as many lawyers as you feel you must. You want to keep interviewing lawyers until you find the right fit for you. Once you have met all of the ones that you originally planned to meet with, select the one that you want to hire to take on your criminal case. If you are fortunate enough to find a criminal attorney early on whom you mesh with, you are very fortunate. You can consider your search to be over and the choice made.
If you had to meet with several lawyers and are having a difficult time making a choice, ask them for the contact information of former clients they have represented. Get in touch with these people to find out their experiences with the lawyers in question.
