Questions To Ask A Criminal Defense Lawyer
Whether you have been arrested for or charged with a criminal offense in Texas, or you have reason to believe that you are under investigation for a criminal offense and could soon be facing an arrest or charges, it is essential to find a Texas criminal defense attorney who can assist you with your case. Hiring a criminal defense lawyer can often feel rushed or even frenzied if you are trying to find an attorney following an unexpected arrest. Yet it is important to ensure that you work with a defense lawyer who is right for your case and who can give you the best chance of beating any charges you are ultimately facing. Whether you are hoping to have the charges against you dropped or dismissed, or you know that you will be going to trial and need help with your defense strategy in order to get an acquittal, you should make sure you know the questions to ask before hiring a lawyer.
The following are some of the most important questions you should ask a criminal defense attorney in Temple before you hire a lawyer for your case.
How Long Have You Been Practicing Criminal Defense in Texas?
You should inquire about how long a potential attorney has been practicing criminal defense in Texas and handling cases under the Texas Penal Code. Many criminal defense matters require experience with Texas law in particular, so it will be important to learn more about a defense attorney’s experience handling cases under state law.
Do You Focus on Criminal Defense Matters in Your Practice?
You should learn more about the lawyer’s overall practice, and how much of the practice involves criminal defense. Some attorneys represent clients in a wide range of legal matters and practice criminal defense in addition to family law, consumer law, and personal injury law, for example. In many situations, you can benefit from an attorney who focuses exclusively on criminal defense since their experience and practice will involve cases related to yours.
Have You Handled Cases Similar to Mine?
It is important to ask an attorney if they have handled cases with fact patterns that are similar to yours. The more experience a lawyer has handling specific types of criminal cases, such as drug cases or DWIs, the more experience they will bring to developing a strong defense strategy for your case.
How Often Have You Been Able to Get Charges Dropped or Dismissed, or How Often Have You Gotten Acquittals?
Do not hesitate to ask a lawyer about their record of success, including examples of cases where they have been able to get charges dropped or dismissed, or cases in which they have gotten acquittals.
What Are Some Possible Defense Strategies for My Case?
A good criminal defense attorney should be able to discuss potential defense strategies for your case. The lawyer you speak with should consider the particular circumstances of your case and should be thinking about tailoring your defense strategy to the circumstances surrounding your arrest, as well as the elements of the charges you are facing.
Can You Get the Charges Against Me Dropped or Dismissed, or Can You Get Me Acquitted?
You should never work with a criminal defense lawyer who makes promises to have the charges against you dropped or dismissed, or who makes promises of an acquittal. Most certainly, you should work with an attorney who believes they can develop a strong defense in your case and who has a record of success in cases like yours. Yet you should recognize that the best criminal defense lawyers will clarify that they cannot promise to beat the charges, but rather can develop a potentially winning defense strategy based on their experience and knowledge of Texas law.
Contact a Temple Criminal Defense Attorney
Whether you are facing charges or may soon be facing criminal charges, you should contact an experienced Temple criminal defense lawyer at The Law Office of Katie L. Gomez, PLLC to learn more about how we can assist you.
Source:
statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?link=PE
