Whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony, choosing a Tucson criminal defense lawyer is one of the most important decisions in your case. An excellent attorney will defend you and fight for your freedom.
If you schedule an initial free consultation with a prospective lawyer, vetting an attorney is the best opportunity. You can learn more about their experience, your case, and whether or not they are a good fit.
To make the most of your free consultation, ask thoughtful questions. Thinking about them in advance is the best way to ensure you leave the consultation with an understanding of who to hire.
What Does A Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?
A criminal defense lawyer represents people charged with crimes. They stand up for them in court, speak on their behalf, and fight to avoid a conviction. Some of a criminal defense attorney’s duties are:
- Explaining the charges and penalties
- Creating a defense
- Explaining the criminal court process
- Protecting your constitutional rights
- Filing motions
- Reviewing evidence
- Handling all communications with the prosecutor and the courts
- Representing you at every court hearing
- Facilitating a jury trial
Your criminal defense lawyer will work closely with you to achieve the best outcome in your case. For many people, this is a not-guilty verdict at trial or a plea deal that avoids jail time.
Most Important Questions To Ask During The Consultation
There are no dumb questions to ask during an initial consultation. You should always ask a question if you have one. However, some questions are more likely to give you helpful information about the lawyer and whether or not they are right for your case.
Do You Exclusively Practice Criminal Law?
Some lawyers practice multiple types of law. This doesn’t automatically mean that they are bad lawyers. However, it does mean that they may not be an expert in criminal law. Many lawyers say that they practice criminal law when, in reality, they hardly practice it.
Attorneys who exclusively practice criminal defense are more likely to have the experience you need to win your case. They work day in and out on criminal cases and have likely represented people in similar situations.
If you are speaking with a lawyer who practices multiple areas of law, find out what percentage of their cases are criminal defense cases. Consider looking elsewhere if it is an insignificant part of their practice.
Have You Defended People With Cases Like Mine Before?
There are hundreds of criminal charges in Arizona. Some criminal defense attorneys specialize in certain types of crimes. It would be great if you were charged with that crime. However, if you have a unique case or very serious charges, you want a lawyer who has helped people in a similar situation.
For example, you don’t want to hire an experienced DUI lawyer if you are charged with murder. You should always ask your attorney if they have represented people charged with the same crimes. If so, how many people? What were the outcomes of the cases? They may be a good choice if they have experience successfully representing people with similar cases.
How Often Do You Go To Trial?
Many people forget to ask a prospective lawyer how often they go to trial. Their answer to this question can reveal a lot about how they will handle your case.
Some criminal defense lawyers exclusively pursue plea deals through plea bargaining. They may encourage their clients to plead guilty instead of fighting for them in trial. While a plea deal may be appropriate in some cases, you want a lawyer who isn’t afraid to reject a plea agreement and go to trial on your behalf.
Have You Appeared In Court In My Jurisdiction Before?
Criminal defense lawyers tend to represent people in many different jurisdictions. Bigger cities may have multiple courthouses, which means there are multiple prosecutors and judges.
If a lawyer has represented someone in your jurisdiction, they are more likely to know the prosecutors and the judges. Furthermore, they will know the court customs and processes unique to that jurisdiction. This can help them get a favorable outcome in your case.
How Do You Handle Client Communications?
You want to get an idea of when and how your attorney will communicate with you if you choose to hire them. Client communication is one of the biggest issues that come up during representation.
Some lawyers communicate regularly with their clients, while others only reach out as needed. If you understand how a lawyer communicates and express how you wish to be updated about your case, you are less likely to have friction down the road.
What Type Of Work Is Included In Your Fee?
Every criminal defense lawyer will discuss their fee during the initial consultation. It could be a flat fee, an hourly fee, or a combination of both. However, it must be reasonable. Once you learn about the fee, you must determine what work is included.
Some lawyers will have “hidden fees” that they don’t initially discuss. Others will only include certain types of work in their fee. That means you might have to pay more if your case demands something else, like going to trial or appealing a conviction.
Make sure you fully understand what services you are paying for and what your lawyer will provide before hiring them.
Contact a Tucson Criminal Defense Lawyer for a Free Consultation
It’s okay to schedule multiple free consultations to talk to different lawyers. This will let you compare attorneys so that you make the right decision in your case. Just make sure that you don’t take too long to decide, or the prosecution will get ahead of you.
Hiring a criminal defense lawyer is the most important decision you can make, so make sure you choose the right one. Call Katsarelis Law Criminal Defense Attorneys at (520) 510-0439 or contact us online for a free consultation.