Choosing a criminal defense lawyer is one of the most important decisions in your criminal case. An experienced criminal defense attorney can defend and help keep you out of jail. If you make the wrong choice, it could jeopardize your freedom.
A consultation is the first step in retaining a criminal defense lawyer. You want to be prepared for this meeting so that your lawyer can work as quickly and efficiently as possible. The more information you give and get, the better your lawyer can represent you. Being prepared can also cut down on unnecessary fees.
Follow these guidelines to prepare for and get the most out of your first consultation with a criminal defense lawyer.
Don’t Talk About Your Case With Others (Including Social Media)
The cardinal rule in any criminal case is that you should not talk with anyone (except your lawyer) about your case. This includes even your closest family and friends or social media.
If you are in jail, you may also talk on the jail phones, which are recorded and regularly monitored. You should assume that the prosecutor will hear every conversation you have on the jail phone.
Many people think that if they can explain their side of the story, the prosecutor will dismiss the charges. This rarely happens. No matter how great your defense is, the prosecutor will look for ways to use your statements against you.
Furthermore, if you talk with anyone about your case, they could be called as a witness at trial. This could put your friends and family in the difficult position of testifying against you. While it might feel lonely at first, you should only talk to your lawyer about ongoing criminal charges.
Gather and Bring Relevant Evidence
Before your consultation, you should gather any helpful evidence to discuss in the meeting. The type of evidence will vary depending on the details of your case. Relevant evidence could include:
- Records
- Texts messages
- Photographs
- Video evidence
- Prior court records
You may not be able to get a hold of certain evidence before your consultation. That’s okay. Most criminal defense lawyers will investigate the case and collect further evidence as part of their work.
In addition to your evidence, the defense lawyer will have an opportunity to review the prosecution’s evidence during discovery. However, they may not have this evidence before your first consultation.
Identify All Witnesses
If there are any witnesses in your case, you should bring this information to your initial consultation. Useful contact information may include a witness’s full name, phone number, and address.
Many defense attorneys will work with an investigator. The investigator could be tasked with locating and talking to the witnesses. If the witness’s statement is helpful to your case, your attorney may issue a subpoena to call them as a witness at trial.
Sometimes it is difficult to get in touch with witnesses. Many people don’t want to get involved in criminal cases. If you come prepared with their information, your lawyer can immediately start reaching out.
Take Time to Remember Relevant Details
If some time has passed since the incident, crucial details may not be at the top of your mind.
During your consultation, the defense attorney will ask for your side of the story. You may want to take some time to think about the relevant information and chronological series of events beforehand. That way, you can tell a coherent story.
Write Down Questions Beforehand
Your consultation will involve a lot of talking. Your lawyer will have many questions and information to share. You will probably also have some questions about the criminal court process, plea deals, and what will happen in your case.
You should write down your questions beforehand so that you don’t forget to ask what is important during the meeting. Otherwise, the conversation could get sidetracked, and you may leave feeling that you still have a lot of questions unanswered.
While you will have follow-up meetings with your lawyer, you want to make sure to use their time efficiently. Thinking of questions in advance can help you do that.
Get Comfortable Sharing Personal Information
A consultation with a criminal defense lawyer can become very personal. Depending on the allegations, you may need to talk about private details of your life. Some people are uncomfortable sharing this information with anyone, let alone a lawyer they just met.
However, you need to remember that your criminal defense attorney is fully dedicated to your case. They are bound by attorney-client privilege and cannot share information about your case without your permission.
If you leave out valuable information because it is embarrassing or you think your lawyer will judge you, it could seriously harm your case. Remember that your attorney has probably heard just about everything during their experience. Their only interest is to protect you and win your case, not to pass judgment.
Research Your Criminal Defense Lawyer
Your initial consultation is usually an opportunity to learn about your criminal defense lawyer, too. You may want to research your attorney before the meeting. This research could raise questions about their experience or whether they have worked on similar cases before.
You need to feel comfortable with your lawyer so that you develop a good relationship with them. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions or clarify the scope of their representation to make sure that you are on the same page.
Schedule A Free Consultation With A Providence Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
You can always ask your criminal defense attorney how to best prepare before your initial consultation when you schedule the appointment. They may have additional paperwork and questions for you to consider before the meeting. Some offices also provide a list of documents to bring.
If you need a criminal defense lawyer in Providence, RI, contact Manosh Payette Criminal Defense Attorneys to learn more about your legal options from a skilled Rhode Island criminal defense attorney. Call us today at (401) 854-7794.
