what does a defense attorney interview outline look like

How should a defense lawyer handle the interview with the defendant?

The defense lawyer should explain to the defendant that all of their discussions, including the initial interview, are confidential and protected by the attorney-client privilege.

What documents should a defense lawyer get during a criminal interview?

If possible, the defense lawyer should also obtain copies of any relevant documents such as arrest warrants, search warrants, police reports, and any additional documents that relate to the criminal charges. The inability to obtain these documents should not delay the interview.

How do you write an opening statement for a defense attorney?

In your defense opening statement, your job is raise some doubt in the jurors minds about the prosecutor’s claims as to what your client has done. So after you introduce yourself, and tell the jurors who you represent, you should begin to highlight the facts in the case that support your defense theory.

What should I bring to a law firm interview?

Bring examples of papers you've written. The law firm's hiring partners may ask you questions about recent court rulings to make sure you have up-to-date knowledge in your field. Be prepared to discuss them and your thoughts as this shows your potential new employer that you take your career seriously.

What are typical interview questions?

50+ most common job interview questionsTell me about yourself.Walk me through your resume.How did you hear about this position?Why do you want to work at this company?Why do you want this job?Why should we hire you?What can you bring to the company?What are your greatest strengths?More items...

How do you prepare for a law firm interview?

If you are interviewing virtually, all of these tips apply.Do your research. Lawyers are known for being good researchers. ... Be presentable and dress your best. ... Come prepared to ask questions. ... Be personable and show enthusiasm. ... Be genuine. ... Promptly send a thank-you note.

What should I bring to an attorney interview?

Always bring copies! You can't assume your interviewer will have them. Bring any personal care items you might need: gum, mints, a toothbrush (if you're coming for a meal), extra hosiery, eyedrops, touch-up makeup, etc. And don't forget directions (including parking locations, if you're driving).

How do you answer why do you want to be a public defender?

How to answer "Why do you want to be a public defender?"Emphasize your skills. Public defenders have a wide skill set that makes them effective as both lawyers and public officials. ... Talk about your experiences. ... Describe your goals. ... Show your passion.

How do you sell yourself in a law firm interview?

To meet these goals you must:Establish rapport-In addition to tangible things such as a good, firm handshake and appropriate eye contact, there are additional items which develop rapport between people. ... Listen carefully-Try to hear the question behind the question and respond to the interviewer's concerns.More items...•

How can I impress a law interview?

8 ways to prepare for a legal job interviewHighlight your successes. ... Be knowledgeable about what you've done. ... Frame your experience for the role. ... Know what's going on. ... Sell your soft skills. ... Prepare your questions — and your answers. ... Dress to impress. ... Relax and be yourself.

5 Attorney Interview Questions & Answers

1. As an attorney, you will need to deal with clients in a way that makes them feel comfortable disclosing personal and often uncomfortable information with you. How do you plan on maintaining your professionalism?

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Friday, June 10, 2011

A while back I did interviews with various folks involved with criminal justice, including Judge Mike Lynch and crime scene specialist Stacey Wells, but I never got around to serving up the words of the men in black hats, the people who strive to put crooks back on the streets (I'm kidding, I'm kidding).

Interview with a Criminal Defense Lawyer

A while back I did interviews with various folks involved with criminal justice, including Judge Mike Lynch and crime scene specialist Stacey Wells, but I never got around to serving up the words of the men in black hats, the people who strive to put crooks back on the streets (I'm kidding, I'm kidding).

What does the client tell the attorney?

The client tells a narrative of the events as to what they want to share with the attorney. Sometimes, the client tells us everything including whether or not they’ve committed the crime. Other times, it’s just a version of the events that the client wants the attorney to hear.

Why do criminal defense attorneys advocate for their clients?

As a criminal defense attorney, you have to effectively advocate for your clients because they are deserving of leniency. I don’t think of the people I represent as bad people by any stretch of imagination. Rather, they are people who had a bad moment or made bad decisions.

Why do you need a private criminal defense attorney?

The benefit of hiring a private criminal defense attorney is that you do get more individualized attention. You don’t get shuffled among hundreds of attorneys that work for the public defender’s office or legal aid. You have someone in your corner that is accountable for your case.

How far apart are court dates?

Court dates are typically between 4 to 8 weeks apart. You should have a clear understanding as to what your attorney is doing in between the court dates and what you expect to happen on the next court date. You never want to be in a situation that the criminal matter is out of sight, out of mind.

What is the best thing about criminal defense?

The best thing about criminal defense is that you don’t do the same thing over and over again as you may do with real estate law or wills and estates. Part of being a criminal defense lawyer is understanding what the facts are on a micro-granular level.

Can a defense attorney question a client?

For example, if the client wants to testify falsely at trial, the defense attorney cannot question the client when the client gets up on the stand. It has to be done in a narrative form. So the attorney has to ask the client what happened, and the client has to give a narrative.

Can an attorney get information from Pacer?

The attorney is able to get a lot of the information on federal matters from Pacer, which is an online repository of documents. However, with state cases, the attorney has to physically go to court to get these documents, which is usually impossible to do prior to the first meeting.

What should a defense lawyer do in an initial interview?

The defense lawyer should use the initial interview as a forum to advise the defendant of his legal rights, explain the parameters of the attorney-client relationship, and discuss the legal procedures involved in the case.

What information should be provided during an initial interview?

During the initial interview the defense lawyer should obtain the following background information from the defendant. This information allows the defense lawyer to get to know the defendant, as well as informs the lawyer's defense strategy.

What is the importance of interviewing a juvenile defendant?

A juvenile defendant also presents a series of challenges for the defense lawyer, one of the most important being the potential conflict of interest between the parent and the juvenile defendant.

What is the importance of an initial client interview?

The initial client interview is an essential part of the attorney-client relationship, as it affords the defense lawyer an opportunity to get to know the defendant and begin to understand the basic facts of the case. During the initial interview the defense lawyer will learn critical information such as the identity of witnesses, the identity of co-defendants, the location of evidence, and details concerning any potential violations of the defendant's legal rights. This information is vital to the development of a successful defense strategy and should be obtained as quickly as practicable. Developing a good defense extends beyond just understanding your client's version of the events. While it is important to know your client's "story," it is also important to test that story against what others say. For example, if your client denies that he assaulted another, you should learn from others whether he is known to be a violent person. You should also consider whether, for example, the alleged victim is much larger than the defendant and therefore an unlikely target for assault. The defense lawyer should use the initial interview as a forum to advise the defendant of his legal rights, explain the parameters of the attorney-client relationship, and discuss the legal procedures involved in the case.

How to provide the most effective legal representation?

In order to provide the most effective legal representation, the defense lawyer should meet with the defendant as soon as possible to conduct an initial interview . The defense lawyer should make sure to set aside enough time to conduct a thorough interview. In preparation for the initial interview, the defense lawyer should become familiar with ...

Why is it important to know your client's story?

While it is important to know your client's "story," it is also important to test that story against what others say. For example, if your client denies that he assaulted another, you should learn from others whether he is known to be a violent person.

Can a defense lawyer interview a juvenile without the parent present?

To preserve the attorney-client privilege, the defense lawyer may want to conduct the initial interview of a juvenile defendant without the defendant's parent present. Yet, other considerations such as the juvenile's age, mental condition, and stated preference may favor the parent's presence at the interview, despite the potential compromise ...

General questions

These questions help a hiring partner get to know you a little more by understanding your passions, interests and how you may fit into the firm's culture:

Questions about experience and background

These questions help an interviewer understand how your education and previous experience translate to the role:

In-depth questions

An interviewer may ask these questions to get to know how you build a relationship with clients and navigate court issues. These questions also give you a chance to explain your processes and display the parts of your personality that make you the right candidate for the role.

Sample interview questions and answers

Review these sample interview questions and answers to form your own responses:

Law firm interview tips

Here are some interview tips to consider so you can present yourself well to the hiring partner:

What is the purpose of a defense interview?

The defense interview provides an opportunity to flush out whatever information the civilian witness may have regarding the case.

What is the pretrial interview for a DUI case?

Witness Interviews and Defense Investigation. When defending a criminal or DUI case, one of the most critical steps in the process of building a defense is the pretrial interview of the prosecutions witnesses. Under Arizona law, the defense is entitled to interview any witness that the prosecutor intends to call at trial.

What is the job of a defense lawyer?

The defense lawyer’s job is to make sure that his or her client gets a fair trial, and that means that the defense lawyer must advocate for the client’s point of view. An mock trial opening statement is scored both on the content and also on delivery.

What happens when a defense lawyer is acquitted?

Usually when a defendant is acquitted (found “not guilty”), the jurors make that decision based on the fact that there was some small measure of doubt in their minds as to the defendant’s guilt.

How long is the opening statement in a bench trial?

Usually for a bench trial, the opening statement is less than one half in length , and less time is put into the planning because judge’s don’t value the opening as much. But I do think you want to let the judges know what your strong points are ahead of time, much like a jury trial.

Is opening statement important?

Yes, it is an important distinction to make. Opening statements are for outlining your case or “telling a story”, and closing arguments is for summing up your case and arguing. However, sometimes I will sometimes sneak a little arguing into my opening.