6 Important Questions To Ask Your Criminal Defense Lawyer Before Hiring Them

As you might know, criminal defense attorneys are skilled in defending people accused of committing crimes. They’re also well-versed in dealing with judges, police, prosecutors, and other personnel that you’ll be working with while your case is ongoing. Most importantly, experienced lawyers at Lane, Hupp, & Crowley are willing to understand your needs and concerns on an individual level and find solutions that suit you and your situation. However, before you hire an attorney, it’s essential to ask them all the right questions. Doing so can help establish whether your working relationship will be fruitful. This post will cover a list of all the most important questions to ask your criminal defense attorney before you hire them so you can get a firm grasp on what they do and how they’ll help.

How Much Do You Charge?

The first thing you’ll want to know is how much the lawyer plans on charging you for their services. They should be able to provide you with an hourly fee or fixed-price quote before starting your case. Furthermore, It’s important to inquire if they offer a contingency fee arrangement, which means they’ll get paid only if your case is won. Some lawyers charge a flat rate for their services regardless of the outcome and so if they offer this contingency fee arrangement, take advantage of it since the lawyer will be motivated to win the case.

Do You Have Experience  Dealing With Cases Like Mine?

You might want to ask your lawyer if they’ve handled a case similar to yours in the past. A lawyer who has dealt with a case like yours knows the ins and outs of such cases, and though no two cases are similar, there might be overlapping circumstances between your case and the one they handled in the past, which they can take advantage of and win you the case.  If they have any statistics on hand, inquire on the number of cases that resulted in successful trials. This is especially important if you find yourself in a high-risk situation, such as a drug crime or homicide.

How Accessible Are They?

You probably won’t need your lawyer at all hours of the day, but it’s important to know that they’ll be there if you do. This is especially important if you’re trying to schedule a meeting with them to discuss the development of your case. It’s always better to ask these questions ahead of time than during an actual crisis, so be proactive and get information about their availability.

Is The Lawyer’s Practice Focused Primarily On Criminal Law?

Most criminal defense attorneys are trained in both civil and criminal law, with most attorneys practicing in both fields. However, you shouldn’t just hire them with the presumption that they practice one or the other. You’ll want to speak with them about which areas of law they focus on so you know how suitable they are for your case. A good defense attorney should be able to provide you with an idea of whether or not their experience with criminal law is limited to misdemeanors, felonies, drug crimes, or different types of crimes altogether. 

Does The Lawyer Offer A Free Initial Consultation?

It’s also important to ask the lawyer whether or not they offer a free initial consultation so you can get a feel for their personality and how they work. Lawyers that offer free initial consultations also offer affordable rates for their hourly fee. It’s important to find an attorney who understands your situation and how it affects you personally because they can then provide you with a level of understanding that other lawyers might not achieve. 

How Long Have You Practiced Criminal Law?

This question is important because if your case ever goes to trial, the lawyer needs to establish they have enough experience to defend you in court. The more experienced they are, the more successful they’re likely to be in trials. If the lawyer hasn’t been practicing long enough, you may want to consider another attorney instead.

Try and get all of your questions answered so you can decide if this lawyer is a good fit for you. If it doesn’t seem like they offer the quality of service you need, feel free to ask them for a referral for another attorney, so you have more options. If they seem like a good fit, try and get them on board as soon as possible because the sooner they’re working on your case, the sooner it’ll be resolved.