Asking the Criminal Lawyers the Right Questions

Dealing with a criminal case can be stressful, especially if you or a loved one is involved with it. You would definitely want the best lawyer in town to represent you, especially since this is your future that we are talking about.

Hiring the right criminal defense attorney in Kent, WA is not easy since any criminal defense lawyer can claim to solve and clear your case, but only a few can actually do so. Due to this, you have to ask the criminal defense attorney a few important questions before hiring them.

Can you tell me about your background and experience?

The first thing you would have to ask is if they have dealt with and handled a case similar to yours in the past. You should also ask if they were able to win the case and what happened to their client once the verdict has been given.

As you’re on the topic of experience, you should also ask them a couple of other questions such as when they graduated from law school, how long they have been practicing law, how often their clients go to trial, and if they belong to any bar associations or any other organizations in their community.

Can you give me an assessment of my case?

If you have no clue as to what’s about to happen to you and your case, then you would want to ask the lawyer relevant questions regarding your case. This is to give you a brief idea of what you are about to face in the future regarding the case and how your attorney will handle it.

Ask what your legal options are and if they would recommend a guilty plea, a trial, or a plea agreement. You also have the right to know what aspects of the case would work in your favor and will give you a chance to win. Ask what problems you would most likely encounter during the case and what to expect during the different stages.

How exactly will you manage my case?

There’s this term that lawyers use: “case management,” which refers to how a case logistics is usually handled. You most definitely want to know what happens behind the scenes with your case so you can make sure that your lawyer and you are on the same page.

Ask if they are available to represent you and if they are handling other cases as of the moment aside from yours. Another question to ask is if another lawyer will work on your case with them and if you can meet them as soon as possible. You also have the right to know if they will represent you in court and if you can call them anytime if you have questions.

How much is your legal fee?

Ask them how much they will charge for your case. Set a budget and of course, make sure that you will stick to that budget. If you see or meet with a lawyer that you think will be able to represent you well, then go ahead and hire them even if they charge a little bit more than what you have expected. You can also try and ask nicely if they can lower the fee if you have a tight budget.

Not every lawyer can handle a criminal case, which is why it is important to screen the lawyers you will meet so you can be sure that they will be able to handle your case well.