Preparing For Your Initial Consultation With A Criminal Defense Attorney In Miami-Dade, FL.

In this article, you can discover…

• The documents to bring with you to an initial consultation.
• What questions you can expect to answer during your first meeting.
• The importance of clear communication at each step of your case.

How Do You Conduct Meetings With Clients?

I prefer in-person meetings with clients and prefer to receive hard copies of files, if at all possible. However, in situations where an in-person meeting is not possible due to time constraints or other situations, Zoom meetings or phone meetings are also an option. That initial meeting is very important, and I can conduct that meeting in whichever way is more convenient for you as a client.

What Should I Bring With Me To The Initial Consultation?

Bring with you the police report (also known as an arrest affidavit) related to your arrest. If we are conducting an initial consultation through Zoom or through a phone call, be sure to email or text this document to me ahead of time.

The police report can be a truly useful source of information. The details of a police report can help your attorney determine if there are grounds for a motion to suppress evidence against you or grounds for your charges to be dismissed.

If you have any photos or videos related to the incident, bring those, as well. You’d be surprised how many clients have been able to refute inaccurate or incomplete police reports with video evidence of the incident.

What Kind Of Questions Should I Expect My Criminal Defense Attorney To Ask Me During The Initial Consultation?

Generally, expect your attorney to give your account of what happened leading up to the incident, during the incident, and even after the incident. Many times, an attorney may ask you detailed questions that you don’t think are relevant but whose answers can be key in developing a strong defense.

For example, if you are charged with battery after reportedly getting into a fight at a bar, your attorney may ask you detailed questions about how the alleged victim was behaving leading up to the altercation. Did the alleged victim put their hands on you first, challenge you to a fight, or take a swing at you?

While it may seem odd for the attorney to ask so many questions about the other party, this information can actually be helpful in building a case for valid self-defense instead of battery. Simply answer the attorney’s questions as honestly as you can.

How Will You Keep In Contact With Me Throughout The Case?

I will aim to give you regular updates whenever something happens in relation to your case, especially before or after a hearing. This will usually take place as a quick phone call.

However, if you prefer text messages due to your busy schedule, I can text you quick updates about your case. If you prefer email updates, I can certainly email you, as well. Whichever method you prefer and whichever is most feasible is the method I’ll use to communicate with you.

How Do You Assess The Strength Of A Potential Client’s Case During The First Meeting?

To assess the strength of your case, I will ask specific questions about the events leading up to your arrest and your arrest itself. Your responses can help me develop defenses, opportunities for motions to suppress evidence, and even opportunities for motions to dismiss the case against you.

This means that your communication with me is very important, as you are the one who lived through the events in question. A police report will only tell me so much, and the most valuable source of information about the strength of your case will be your own testimony, memory, and statements.

Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?

For more information on meeting with a criminal defense attorney in Miami-Dade, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (305) 917-5284 today.