11 Important Questions to Ask Your
Criminal Defense Attorney in 2022
Working with an experienced criminal defense attorney needs more than just a phone call. It’s important to take some time to ask questions that will help you feel confident in the attorney’s abilities to represent your best interests.
Some of these important questions include:
1. How do I know if you are the right defense lawyer for me?
This is an essential step in building the tone of a positive working relationship. When potential clients hire an attorney, they want to know that the attorney will fight for their rights in court.
2. What is your experience?
An attorney should have at least five years of experience in criminal law. But the attorney with more experience is better. With more than five years of experience, the attorney will be able to handle more issues that arise during a criminal trial.
3. How many cases like mine have you handled?
The amount of cases handled is not as necessary as how well an attorney has dealt with similar cases in the past. The more experience an attorney has, the more comfortable you will be sitting in the courtroom.
4. How many cases have you won?
It’s crucial to find out how many cases have been dismissed or resulted in an acquittal. It’s also essential to determine if an attorney could keep a client out of jail when it would have been easier for that attorney to plead guilty.
5. Do you take my insurance?
Insurance is usually the first option for people without the funds to hire a top-notch criminal defense attorney. Insurance companies are notorious for trying to save money, which can cost your attorney’s expertise and loyalty in the courtroom. To see if an attorney has experience with this, ask them. If they have, ask them what kind of coverage they have with your insurance and if they can save you money on your premiums.
6. Are you able to work with my schedule?
Although this may not be a big deal for some, most of us don’t have the time to sit in court all day. It’s important to know if an attorney is available to meet at your convenience. If the attorney will be fighting your case, whether in or out of court, then it’s vital that you feel comfortable with them and that they feel comfortable with you. Chudnovsky Law is flexible when handling client concerns, ensuring a higher success rate.
7. Do you have enough time to talk to me about my case?
An attorney has a lot of valuable time in their schedule, so they must have the time to explain your case and let you know how they will handle the situation. If an attorney sticks with your case, then you will eventually feel comfortable enough to go into court.
8. How will you stand out in the courtroom?
This question is essential because most people do not want to feel like they are being swept off their feet by a first-time attorney. Knowing that an attorney has the proper experience, is well-respected, and can speak confidently will make you feel more comfortable in the courtroom during your case.
9. What can I do to help my case?
Asking an attorney what the client could do to strengthen their case is an excellent way to get insight into how the attorney will handle your case. That way, you learn how to work with and for your attorney.
10. What are your fees?
Any honest attorney can talk about their fees openly and honestly. If you don’t like what they say, you don’t have to hire them. Just make sure that the lawyer talks about how much work they will put into your case, not just the price tag of their services.
11. What do you think will happen in court?
Most attorneys will not want to tell you what they think will happen. They may give some good advice, but nothing about the outcome will be predetermined. However, most attorneys want to know if the case is winnable before spending too much time trying it out in court.