6 Important Things To Ask Your Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have been arrested or are under investigation for a crime, it is important to hire the best criminal defense lawyer. This blog post will explore six things that you should ask a criminal defense attorney before hiring them.

These questions are important because they can help ensure that the lawyer has experience defending people who have similar charges and circumstances as yours. Without further ado, let’s look at the six most important questions to ask a criminal defense lawyer.

Do You Offer Free Initial Consultation?

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it is important to find out if the lawyer offers free consultations. It may be difficult for someone who has just been arrested to come up with the money for an attorney, so it is nice when lawyers offer free initial consultations.

This will allow you and your criminal defense lawyer to get acquainted before spending more money on the case.

There are a few reasons that lawyers offer free initial consultations. First, it may be part of their marketing strategy to attract new clients and build up their reputation as experts in criminal defense law.

Secondly, the best attorney understands the stress caused by being arrested or charged with a crime, so they want to help ease your mind before taking on your case. Finally, many lawyers will offer a free initial consultation because they are confident that you will hire them to represent your case.

What Type of Cases Do You Usually Handle?

Criminal defense attorneys have different specialties and areas of expertise. It is important to find out what types of criminal cases the lawyer has experience with because it could affect your future.

For example, if you are arrested for a DUI, then you should hire an attorney who typically handles DUIs in addition to other types of crimes like assault or theft.

It is acceptable to ask your criminal defense lawyer if they experience the type of crime you are charged with. For example, hiring a DUI attorney for a murder case may not make sense because their skill set does not apply in that situation. However, be aware that every situation is different, so an experienced criminal defense attorney will learn and adapt their skill set if needed.

What is Your Success Rate?

A good criminal defense attorney will have a high success rate in the courtroom. The lawyer’s website should list their past cases and show how many of them were either reduced charges, dismissed entirely, or won at trial.

If you can’t find an online case history, then ask your potential criminal defense attorney about their record for getting convictions dropped and what it takes to get charges reduced. It is best if you can find an attorney who has a high success rate in cases that are similar to yours because this means they have experience and expertise handling the type of crime you were arrested for.

Years of Experience in Handling Cases Similar to Yours

It is important to determine how many years of experience your criminal defense lawyer has to handle cases similar to yours. For example, it would not make sense to hire a lawyer who has only practiced criminal defense law for two years if you are charged with conspiracy. This is because they may not have the knowledge and experience necessary to represent your case in court effectively.

At the same time, keep in mind that an experienced attorney could be more expensive than one just starting their career. Hence, it is important to find a balance between experience and affordability. For example, a lawyer who has been practicing for 40 years probably charges more than one just starting, but they will be able to handle your case efficiently because of their expertise.

Can You Contact Past Clients to Get References About Your Work Ethic and Skills?

It is important to find out what former clients think of the criminal defense attorney you are interviewing. You can ask your potential lawyer if they will give you a list of references so that you can call and talk with past customers about their experience working together.

If possible, try to get in touch with at least three people who have worked with the lawyer in the past. This will give you a better idea about how they handle cases and what type of personality they have so that you can determine if it is a good fit for your situation.

Who in the Firm will be Handling My Case?

When you hire a criminal defense lawyer to handle your case, they must be accessible and easy to contact. They should be available by phone or email so that you can reach them about questions, concerns, and updates throughout the legal process.

In addition, when interviewing lawyers, make sure they tell you who will be handling your case. For example, if you are charged with DUI, it might be good to hire an attorney who also does DUIs because this will ensure that your case gets the attention and time needed.

However, make sure they have experience handling cases similar to yours so that the outcome is favorable for both you and your criminal defense lawyer.

You might find that hiring a lawyer is the best decision you make if you are ever in trouble with the law. If not, these tips will help to ensure that your legal defense process goes smoothly and quickly. I hope this article has been helpful for you today!