3 Tips For Your First Interaction With A Criminal Defense Attorney
Getting arrested for the first time can really throw anyone for a loop. If you suddenly find yourself facing criminal charges, one of the first things you will want to do is hire a criminal law attorney such as Barry W Engle PC. But if you've never dealt with anything like this before, you might be nervous about everything, including talking to your new attorney. Here are some tips to help calm your nerves and ensure that your lawyer has the information he or she needs to properly defend you.
Your Lawyer is the One Person You Should Never Lie To
Your lawyer will not be interviewing you to judge you. Only you know if you actually did what you are accused of, but it's important to note that if you intend for whatever reason to be less than forthcoming with the police or your family and friends, you do not want to take this approach with your lawyer. Most lawyers will always assume their client is innocent unless they hear otherwise. But knowing their client is guilty could change the entire defense strategy. You don't want to put your lawyer into a bad spot by lying to them about your innocence and then being exposed at trial. Tell the truth now so your attorney can help you build a strong defense.
Start at the Beginning and Go Step By Step
So since you will be giving your lawyer a truthful account of everything that happened, here's another tip on how to go about doing that. It's not uncommon for newly accused or charged people to be a bit out of sorts, and your initial story might reflect that.
Take a deep breath and start at the beginning of the incident. Walk your lawyer through everything that happened in chronological order; don't jump around on the timeline in order to be as concise as possible. The sooner your lawyer has a full understanding of what happened, the sooner they can begin helping you plan for your day in court.
Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Once you go over what happened, your lawyer may start talking back to you. It's important if you don't understand something, such as a specific legal concept, that you ask your lawyer to slow down or repeat themselves. Most lawyers will have no problem breaking down complex legal subjects into simpler terms. You just have to be willing to speak up if you are confused.
Contact a criminal law expert immediately if you find yourself under arrest.
