San Diego Criminal Lawyers Blog
If you have had a run-in with the law, make no mistake: hiring the wrong criminal defense attorney is a regret you will carry long into the future. You want someone whose communication style fits your own, and who can help you to understand exactly what the strategy is, what your role in decision-making will be, and any potential outcomes. You need someone who is ethical, hard-working, and creative as they attack your issues. It is certainly worth your effort to find out about any potential firm that may be representing you, and it is easy enough to do with just a few simple questions.
- Have you been practicing law for very long? Are you someone who is knowledgeable about not only the law itself, but who is familiar with the legal community, procedures, and customs in the area?
- Have you been involved in cases comparable to mine previously? If so, will that experience impact how you choose to handle my case?
- Do you have any referrals I can check?
- How do you define success, and what’s your success rate?
- How many cases have you taken to trial, and how many have you settled out of court? Are there benefits to plea deals, or am I better off fighting for a favorable verdict in court?
- What will you expect from me throughout this process?
- What are the best and worst scenarios for me? Will you be optimistic and fight for me, but also be straight with me if the news is unpleasant?
- Are you familiar with the judge who’s been assigned to this case? What is your take on the judge?
- Are there diversion programs that I might be eligible for? What are they like? What can you do for me in that regard?
- In a trial, would you support my testifying in my own defense? What factors go into that kind of decision?
- While you are working on my case, how often will you be updating me? How should I get in touch with you?
- Will you, personally, be working on my case, or will it be assigned out to less experienced attorneys?
- While awaiting trial, what should I be doing to improve my chances?
- How long do you anticipate this will take?
- What is this whole thing going to cost me? Are there payment plans? Are there any fees for the initial consultation?
The Right Attorney for You
At Boertje & Associates, our dedicated criminal defense lawyers always fight for the best outcomes for our clients. To discuss your concerns, schedule a confidential consultation in our San Diego office today.