At first glance, your first meeting with your potential criminal defence lawyer could seem daunting. No matter the situation, criminal defence lawyers are here to help you and not pass judgment.
For your first meeting with a criminal defence lawyer, it is important for you to recall all the important details of your case. In some instances, writing down the events chronologically before the meeting can aid in the recollection of what happened and in which order. In respect to writing down the events chronologically, it may also be helpful to write down a list of people that were there/involved, and their respective contact information.
Be prepared to give all the details! Understandably the situation might be embarrassing or even possibly damaging for you, however, like all lawyers, criminal defence lawyers are held to the highest level of confidentiality. Whatever you discuss with your lawyer will not be used against you in any capacity.
Any documents relating to the situation at hand will be helpful to your criminal defence lawyer. This includes any police reports you are able to obtain, any restraining orders, bail papers, receipts for property taken by police, etc. These relevant documents help shape exactly what happened and the exact dates, especially if you cannot recall specific details of the event.
You should be prepared to clearly tell your lawyer what your desired outcome would be. There are a range of outcomes clients can desire, such as charges dropped, avoiding a criminal record, avoiding jail time or a quick resolution. It is important as a client to communicate what is most important to you which can assist your lawyer in determining which defence strategy is most suitable.
Your lawyer will have a lot of questions after you give the details of the event(s). Some questions may become personal; it is in your best interests that your lawyer obtains all relevant information. In order for the lawyer to fully understand the event(s), they must ask a wide array of questions.
Moreover, your criminal defence lawyer will be taking notes. Note taking is a way that the lawyer can recall the events and information you provided quickly and easily. This allows the lawyer to continue working on your file until your next meeting.
With all the information gathered at the first meeting, your lawyer will determine the next best steps. Provided with legal advice, your criminal defence lawyer will inform you of all your options moving forward, and what the best-case scenario and worst-case scenario is for your case. Your lawyer will explore every option you have available to you, and in the end, it is up for you to decide on how you would like to proceed with your case.
Overall, the first meeting is the most important as it sets out what happened and what can be done. Don’t be afraid to ask the lawyer questions. If you don’t understand the advice you are receiving, say so. Often it is the procedural aspects of criminal law that can confuse clients. The lawyer can only help and be effective when you understand and are clear about expectations and what you hope to have achieved. Remember, you and your lawyer are a team!