3 Questions to Ask Your Felony Attorney during Your First Meeting
Meeting with an attorney to discuss your situation can not only give you a better understanding of what to expect in the weeks to come, but can also provide you with insight into how you could fight your charges. As such, if you’ve booked a consultation, you might be wondering how to prepare for this meeting to make the most of the opportunity.
Here are a few questions you could ask when you first meet with a felony attorney:
1. Have You Handled Similar Cases to Mine?
Many different types of offenses—from robberies to grand theft to drug trafficking—fall under the umbrella of felonies, so there’s no guarantee that a particular criminal defense attorney has handled claims like yours.
As such, it’s important to ask them about their track record of success and the types of cases they’ve overseen in the past. If, for example, you were charged with a robbery, but the attorney only has experience handling drug possession cases, you might be better off looking for representation elsewhere.
2. Will You Investigate the Arrest?
Building a strong defense almost always requires access to compelling evidence. However, to find such proof, you will first need to conduct an in-depth investigation into the arrest and the charges you are facing. If an attorney seems hesitant to investigate what happened, you should think twice before hiring them. A skilled felony attorney will know exactly what types of proof you might need to fight the charges and can take the necessary steps to obtain this evidence before it is erased, destroyed, or becomes unavailable for any other reason.
3. Will I Have a Direct Line to My Attorney?
Getting prompt answers to your questions and regular updates on the progress of your case can make all the difference during proceedings—especially if you’re facing jailtime. However, while many attorneys promise open communication, some—either due to lack of time, resources, or compassion—don’t take steps to make themselves available to their clients. You can gauge how communicative an attorney might be by asking them for their direct line. If they’re willing to share this information, this is usually a good sign that they will be accessible throughout proceedings.
4. Is There Anything I Can Do to Help Strengthen My Defense?
Once you’ve hired an attorney to handle your case, the way it unfolds is—for the most part—out of your control. However, you should still be careful about avoiding errors that could otherwise give the prosecution the evidence they need to convict you. For instance, posting about your charges on social media could give them the opportunity to misrepresent your comments to paint you in an unfavorable light. A skilled felony attorney will advise you of common mistakes and share strategies to help you avoid them.
Speak to a Palm Beach Gardens Felony Attorney Today
Have you been charged with a felony? Turn to attorney Todd A. Kawecki for legal guidance and tenacious representation. As a former prosecutor, Todd understands the ins and outs of Florida’s court system and criminal proceedings, equipping him with the knowledge and resources to help you achieve a favorable outcome in your case. Reach out to us at 772-485-4500 or head over to our contact page HERE to lock in a free case assessment with a Florida felony attorney.