Getting arrested can be one of the most traumatic experiences in a person’s life. If you or a loved one has been arrested here in Kentucky, you are going to want to retain an attorney with the experience and knowledge to help you get the best result possible. This is going to involve hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney. You are going through a stressful situation, so you may not be aware that a successful outcome often involves having open communication with your lawyer. This is a two-way street, so you should be ready to ask him or her some vital questions so you get the best representation possible.
Questions Related to Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney
The first set of questions you should be ready to ask involve choosing the right criminal defense attorney for you. This should go into the general experience the lawyer has with criminal defense matters, and then look at their expertise with your type of case.
- How long have you been practicing criminal defense law?
- Have you ever handled charges like mine in the past?
- What are some of the successful outcomes you have gotten in similar cases?
- Have you ever tried a case in the same court?
- Have you ever appeared before the judge who is overseeing my case?
You want to make sure the attorney has experience with your type of charges. Handling a white-collar case is very different from drug possession, DUI, or other types of criminal cases. In addition, if your charges are federal, you want to make sure your criminal defense attorney is qualified to appear in federal court and has tried cases there in the past. The federal government has different rules of criminal practice and procedure than in the state of Kentucky.
Questions About Your Specific Charges
You are going to want to understand the charges that the prosecutor has filed against you. This will help you comprehend the gravity of your situation. It will also allow you to provide your criminal defense attorney with the facts and circumstances surrounding your case. Nobody knows the information regarding your charges better than you, so it is vital that you have an open dialog with your lawyer.
- What exact charges have been filed against me?
- What does the government have to prove in order to convict me on each count?
- Is this a misdemeanor or a felony?
What am I Facing if I am Convicted?
Understanding the potential penalties is important. Some criminal charges will only lead to a fine or probation. However, other charges may entail prison time, forfeiture of property, criminal restitution, and other consequences. It is also vital to understand the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor. This will help you decide if you should risk going to trial or try to get a plea bargain.
Questions About Case Strategy
Even though your attorney is working for you, you should view the relationship as a partnership. While your attorney is your advocate and knows the law, you are the one who knows the facts, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each potential witness against you.
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the case against me?
- Do you think you can get some or all of the charges dismissed?
- What are the potential defenses to the charges?
- Is there an opportunity to get immunity by testifying against others?
- If I have a codefendant, can I get my case severed from his/hers?
- What is the likely outcome of a trial?
- Is the prosecutor open to a plea bargain?
- Do you have any concerns about the evidence?
- Do you think I should testify on my own behalf if we go to trial?
Each of these questions will not only give you a better understanding of the case, but will also prompt you to provide vital information about the case to your attorney.
A criminal trial is a process. It starts with pretrial motions over evidence, charges, and procedures, which will set the playing field for the trial. The trial itself also has many aspects. Having these discussions with your attorney will give you a sense of the direction of the case, which in turn will guide strategy, including the general approach to the case and the decision over whether to go to trial or seek a plea bargain. An experienced criminal defense attorney will be able to provide you with the cost/benefit analysis for your different options.
Get Help With Your Case From Our Experienced Attorney
When you are arrested, you want to have the peace of mind that the attorney representing you has the knowledge and experience to best represent you. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Dickman Law Office will provide you with the representation you need to get the best outcome for your case. Contact us today.
Posted in: Criminal Defense