In case you want to hire the services of a San Diego Criminal Defense Law Firm, you need to consider several things at first. While consulting with the firm, make sure to inquire questions regarding the experience of the attorney in question, how they will be able to evaluate and deal with your case, and also what will be their service charge. Here, we have thrown light on what to ask a criminal defense law firm before you hire one.
It is essential for you to attend the interview prepared beforehand. Moreover, you might be asked by some criminal defense attorneys to fill out a form before the meeting. You might also be required to show any document which has been requested by the lawyer. It is essential to bring several items which will aid the lawyer to evaluate your case including:
Any document which you have received from the court that showcases your charges and also the subsequent date of the court appearance.
The bail papers.
If your property had been searched, any paperwork was given to you by the cops.
A police report copy if feasible.
Apart from these documents, you might also consider providing a list of victims, witnesses, and any other defendant. Moreover, it will be a prudent decision to bring along with you a list of questionnaires which you can ask the law firm as well. We’ve provided several suggestions in this article, and you need to pick those which will come of use.
The experience and background of the criminal law firm
While visiting the firm for the first time, it is vital to figure out whether it has got sufficient experience in defending any similar charge as that of yours. In case you have been charged for driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages, you will not require anyone who is an expert in the field of felony murder suspects. You can ask some questions to the firm like the following:
How long have they been practicing in this field of criminal law?
What is the frequency of their appearance in the court where my case is going to be handled?
Do they negotiate the agreements frequently with the office of the prosecutor? How can your relationship with the prosecutors be described?
How frequently their clients go to trial?
How much familiar they are with the charges which are against me? What is the percentage of their practice when it comes to representing clients with identical charges?
Do they belong to any professional organization or Bar Association? If it is so, which are the ones?
Evaluation of your case
You might be charged with a crime in your state, county, or federal court. In that case, you’d like to take the help of a criminal defense law firm to provide you with a solid idea of what can be expected. In such a situation, you can ask these following questions:
What exactly are my legal alternatives? Would they suggest me any plea agreement, a guilty plea, or simply a trial?
What prospective issues do they predict in my case?
What features of my case will work in my favor?
What can be expected at the various phases of the process including the filing of motions, arraignment, motions hearing, trial, and disposition?
Case management
By the term “case management”, we refer to how it is possible to handle a cases logistics. It is vital to comprehend what is going on in the background with your case so that there’ll be no misunderstanding whatsoever. Here you can ask the following queries:
Will they be available for representing me?
Will, anybody else work along with the lawyer appointed by the firm? If it is so, can I meet him?
In case I have any queries, can I call them? If not, then whom can I call?
Will they represent me in the court personally or hand over the responsibility to somebody else? If it is so, then who?
How can I contact them as well as their colleagues? How promptly will they answer me?
Legal fees
The majority of the criminal defense law firms out there will be charging by the hour. But, some can also ask for a flat fee as well. In this case, it will be sensible to ask the firm the following questions:
Will they charge an hourly rate or flat fee?
In case you are being charged by the hour, what would be their rate? Will it be essential to pay any retainer fee? If it is so, then how would it work?
What are the other expenses I need to pay apart from the fee? Is it possible for them to give me an estimate?
After asking all these queries to the criminal defense law firm, it should not be difficult for you to hire an experienced and trustworthy attorney to win the case in your favor.
