What are some common questions you should be asking your West Palm Beach attorney if you’ve been arrested?
Have you been arrested? Have you been charged with a crime? Are you aware of a criminal investigation that is being built against you?
If so, you likely need the help of a criminal defense attorney.
Most people agree – it is almost always in a person’s best interest to hire a skilled, experienced and focused criminal defense attorney if you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime.
That’s why so many people in West Palm Beach have chosen to hire the Pakett Law Group to represent them after they’ve been charged with drug crimes, DUI’s, theft and other infractions of the law.
When you are researching the best criminal defense lawyers or law firms in West Palm Beach, you may begin to ask yourself some questions.
- Who do I hire?
- When do I need to hire an attorney?
- How much is an attorney going to cost me?
Who do I hire?
As stated above, it’s important to hire an attorney who has experience representing people who have been arrested or charged with crimes just like yours. If you’ve been arrested for domestic violence, you want an attorney who has handled cases like yours. If you have a DUI, you need an experienced DUI attorney.
The court system in Florida is no place for self-representation. Managing a case and navigating the procedures and rules of the court is complex. Hiring an inexperienced or cheap lawyer may be slightly better, but is still a risky choice for those facing potential fines and jail time.
Should I use a public defender as my criminal defense lawyer?
A public defender is an attorney appointed by the court who provides legal representation if you cannot afford a private attorney. While public defenders can be skillful and experienced, they are often facing heavy workloads. In representing many cases at one time, it becomes harder to focus on your case. They also have less access to resources that private attorneys have that may better ensure your case is handled correctly.
When do I need to hire an attorney?
It’s best to hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as you’re arrested or have been charged with a crime – or as soon as you possibly can. If you’ve been arrested, your life is likely in disarray and you may not be thinking as clearly as you normally do.
But very soon, you’ll realize that you’ll need to retain a lawyer to represent you and help guide you through the process of “what happens next.” The sooner you hire an attorney, the sooner they can get to work for you and start helping to make your life easier.
If you choose a public defender, there is no cost to you. The state of Florida pays the public defender to represent you.
If you hire a private attorney, the fees can range depending on a variety of factors such as what type of crime you’ve been charged with, the severity of the charges and what efforts and resources the attorney may determine is required to manage your case. Fees can range from $200 – $500 per hour if an attorney is charging an hourly rate. Or, flat fees may be charged, with most minor cases being in the $2,500 – $5,000 range. Note – each and every attorney is different and these rates mentioned are just a guideline. It is important that you ask an attorney what their rates are. (feel free to adjust these costs).
When researching a criminal defense attorney or law firm to hire, it’s important to understand the answers to the questions above – but also ask a variety of other questions to ensure the attorney or law firm is the right fit for your needs.
Here are some common questions you might consider asking a in West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer:
What is your level of experience and expertise?
The attorney you are talking to should be able to outline their experience – and how that experience is going to help you.
- How long have you been practicing criminal defense law?
- How many cases similar to mine have you handled?
- What percentage of your practice is dedicated to criminal defense?
- Do you have experience with cases in the Palm Beach County or Florida state court system?
Can you tell me about how you feel about my case, the charges against me and how you might approach representing me?
When you ask the attorney about other cases they’ve handled, this gives you insight into their experience and how they might approach your case.
- What is your initial assessment of my case?
- What are the potential outcomes for my case?
- What is your strategy for defending a case like mine?
- Are there any weaknesses in my case that I should be aware of?
Can you explain your legal fees and other costs?
Understanding what and how an attorney is going to charge you is very important.
- What is your fee structure?
- Do you charge a flat fee or by the hour?
- Are there additional costs I should anticipate (e.g., expert witnesses, investigators, etc.)?
- Do you offer payment plans or financing options?
Can you explain your firm’s communication approach to communication during my case and how often you may be available to answer questions?
It’s important to know how often you can talk to your lawyer or other people working in the firm. A good attorney will generally be very open to talking to you about your case.
- How often will we communicate about my case?
- Will I be working directly with you, or will other attorneys or staff be involved?
- How quickly do you typically respond to phone calls and emails?
- Can I contact you outside of regular business hours in an emergency?
How will my case be managed?
Details matter. A good criminal defense attorney will be able to walk you through how they approach a case like yours based on the facts, details and background information that you’ve provided to them.
- What is the process for handling my case from start to finish?
- How do you prepare for trial?
- Will you negotiate a plea bargain, and how do you determine if it’s a good option?
- Can you provide references from past clients?
Can you explain the possible outcomes of my case?
Again, your attorney should be able to tell you the results of other cases – and how that might be similar in your case. They should also be able to point to other clients who can speak highly about their success.
- What is your success rate in criminal defense cases?
- Have you ever been disciplined by any legal or ethics committees?
- Do you have any testimonials or reviews from previous clients?
- What is your reputation within the legal community?
These questions can help you gauge the attorney’s qualifications, experience, and suitability for handling your specific case.
It’s important to feel confident and comfortable with the attorney you choose, as this relationship can significantly impact the outcome of your case.
To schedule a free consultation with The Pakett Law Group, please call 561-318-0531 or email us here.
The Pakett Law Group, PA is committed to providing our clients with the highest quality representation. With over a decade of legal experience, West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer Brian T. Pakett and his team of West Palm Beach criminal lawyers possess a comprehensive understanding of Florida criminal law – and use that experience to benefit our clients.