how to prepare for a meeting with a criminal defense attorney

Preparing for Your Meeting With Your Criminal Defense Attorney.

• Preparing for Your Meeting With Your Criminal Defense Attorney. You have been accused of a crime and you are meeting with your criminal defense ...
• Gather All Documentation.
• Bring Witness Contact Information.
• Have a List of Questions.
• Be Prepared to Provide Your Personal/Business Background.

Full Answer

How do I prepare for my first meeting with a lawyer?

Tips For Meeting With Your Lawyer For the First TimeDress To Impress. ... Be Ready To Give Your Attorney Important Information About Yourself. ... Gather Your Evidence And Have It Ready For Your First Meeting. ... Get Your Facts Straight. ... Plan Something You Can Look Forward To For After Your Meeting.

What is the most important task of a defense attorney?

First and foremost, the most important job of your criminal defense attorney is to fight for you and defend you in the court of law. According to the American Bar Association, the primary responsibility of a criminal defense attorney is to advocate for their clients and defend their rights.

Do defense attorneys want to know the truth?

Different attorneys have different opinions on what they want their clients to tell them about the case. Most (but not all) criminal defense attorneys want their clients to tell them everything—the good, the bad, and the ugly—because an attorney cannot defend against what he or she does not know.

Can lawyers defend clients they know are guilty?

Can my lawyer represent me if he knows I'm guilty? Yes. Defense attorneys are ethically bound to zealously represent all clients, the guilty as well as the innocent.

What level of evidence is necessary to find a person guilty in a criminal trial?

"Beyond a reasonable doubt" is the highest legal standard. This is the standard the U.S. Constitution requires the government to meet in order to prove a defendant guilty of a crime. (In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 364 (1970).)

What are the four types of evidence?

There are four types evidence by which facts can be proven or disproven at trial which include:Real evidence;Demonstrative evidence;Documentary evidence; and.Testimonial evidence.

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.

How do you defend someone you think is guilty?

2:223:25My answer to "how do you defend someone you think is guilty"YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAs if we were representing our loved ones or as we'd want to be represented. Ourselves. Because ourMoreAs if we were representing our loved ones or as we'd want to be represented. Ourselves. Because our job as defense. Advocates is not to be the jury not to decide who we want to defend.

Can you confess a crime to your lawyer?

The short answer is yes. You are protected by something called client-attorney (or lawyer) privilege. Anything you discuss with your lawyer is protected, also known as privileged. If you tell your lawyer you murdered someone, they won't share this with the police.

Do lawyers tell their clients to lie?

In NSW, that body is called the Law Society of New South Wales. The ethical standards do not prevent criminal lawyers from representing a client they know is guilty, but the lawyer will not be able to lie or knowingly mislead the court on their client's behalf.

What if a lawyer knows his client is lying?

(3) offer evidence that the lawyer knows to be false. If a lawyer, the lawyer's client, or a witness called by the lawyer, has offered material evidence and the lawyer comes to know of its falsity, the lawyer shall take reasonable remedial measures, including, if necessary, disclosure to the tribunal.

How do lawyers decide to take a case?

In general, there are three major criteria attorneys use to decide whether to take a case to litigation: the client; the merits of the claims; and. damages.

How to Prepare for Meeting with Your Criminal Defense Attorney for the First Time

Facing a criminal charge is an extremely stressful situation for anyone, so it goes without saying that meeting with a criminal defense attorney for the first time is not a stress-free experience either.

Write Down Details of What Happened

The precise events of what led up to the crime can seem like a blur, but it is of extreme importance that the potential client write an accurate account of what led to the offense in question while using assistance, like a calendar, calculator, or map if relevant.

Honesty Is Key

The last thing a criminal defense attorney wants is to be surprised at trial by a fact that was never disclosed to him or her by the client. As stated previously, even if a detail seems small, it could be extremely important later.

Bring Copies of All Paperwork Received

The attorney will want copies of any and all documents that the potential client has received in the case.

Write Down All Questions

Unless someone is experienced in criminal law, the odds are the potential client will have questions about his or her case and what to expect. Do not assume that these questions will be remembered during the appointment but write them all down in advance.

Contact The Law Offices of M.J. Snyder, LLC Today!

If you need a criminal defense lawyer, act fast and call 215-515-3360. We can help 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, including holidays.

Before The First Meeting

Your attorney will need to be in touch with you, so drawing up a sheet of contact information will be helpful for filing purposes. He or she may also ask you about your personal and professional background, since this is sometimes a crucial element of a defense strategy.

Questions to Ask Your Attorney

Remember, you are the “customer” in this relationship, so a good criminal lawyer should be happy to answer all your questions—don’t shy away from frank or seemingly foolish questions. You also want to get along with your attorney, since you will be working together often during an emotionally draining time.

What to Prepare Before the Initial Meeting

Before you meet with our criminal defense lawyers to discuss handling the defense of your case, prepare the following in advance and bring it with you to the meeting:

Questions to Ask the Attorney

Preparing a list of questions ahead of time, before your first meeting with a criminal defense lawyer, can help ensure that you get all your important questions answered. You may want to ask the attorney:

Be Prepared to Answer Questions

Your attorney must be your advocate to represent you effectively and must fully understand you and your situation. Expect to answer questions about yourself and the events leading up to your criminal charges, including:

Contact AZ Defenders Today

If you are facing criminal charges, your best chance for a favorable outcome is to have an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side. Contact AZ Defenders today for aggressive and dedicated representation in criminal defense matters.