
If you or a family member have been charged with a crime, it can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. However, having the support of a criminal defense attorney can not only make a difference in the legal process involved, but it can also help with the outcome of the case. Yet, before hiring just any criminal defense attorney to represent you, it is important to understand that not every attorney will be the right fit.
To help you find the attorney that is a good match for you and your case, we have prepared a list of questions you should consider asking when interviewing potential criminal defense attorneys.
1. What Is Your Experience with Handling Cases Like Mine?
When hiring a criminal defense attorney, you want to ensure they are prepared and capable of handling your case. By asking about their previous cases and whether any of them were similar to yours, you can gain insight into their ability to manage your situation and the results they had with similar issues.
Yet, be cautious if the lawyer claims they can guarantee you a specific result or promises to get the charges dropped. Remember, it is not only impossible to make guarantees regarding outcomes, but it is also unethical. These attorneys are likely only trying to convince you to hire them with false promises.
Instead, what these attorneys can do is give you a professional opinion about your case, such as its strengths and weaknesses, and discuss the potential outcomes that may arise.
2. Do You Offer a Free Initial Case Evaluation?
Before hiring a criminal defense attorney, you want to get to know them and have a detailed conversation regarding your issues. A five-minute phone call with the attorney discussing their fees will not provide you with that.
That is why you want to find out whether the law firm is willing to have a meeting with you for free. During this initial free case evaluation, you want to go over with them the following:
- The specifics of your case and the charges you face
- Your criminal history
- Your life history, including your education and employment, and
- Any other issues that can impact the case
After providing them with this information, the attorney should be able to answer your questions better and provide you with an opinion regarding how to proceed with your case. You can then also ask them questions regarding their background, education, experience, and even their fees.
However, if the attorney is unwilling to have this in-depth discussion or is not willing to provide you with a free case evaluation, consider reaching out to a different lawyer who can put your mind at ease by going over this information in detail and not charging you to feel confident in their abilities.
3. Who Will Be Working On My Case?
The last thing you want to happen is you hire an attorney to handle your criminal case and find out that they delegated their tasks to other lawyers within the firm, whom you have no idea about.
That is why during your initial conversation with the criminal defense attorney, you want to find out who will be working on your case, who will make the most important decisions, and who you can contact regarding updates. More importantly, feel free to ask these attorneys whether they have an adequate amount of time to provide your case the attention it deserves.
Contact the Krause Law Firm Today for a Free Case Evaluation
If you want more information regarding your legal options or want to get your questions answered, contact a criminal defense attorney at the Krause Law Firm today. We are advocates for clients facing criminal charges throughout San Antonio, and we are prepared to fight for your rights. Contact us today by filling out an online form or call us at 210-455-1333 for a free consultation and learn more about our background and how we can help you.