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Your Criminal Case

After you have selected a lawyer who you believe can represent you, you must present her with all the facts regarding your criminal case. If she is unable to answer the following questions adequately, consider speaking to another attorney about representing you:

• How long do cases like mine take to get resolved?
• What are the plea bargaining possibilities with these charges?
• What are the possible outcomes if we go to trial?
• How will you keep me informed of the progress of the case?
• How will I be notified of upcoming court appearances and hearing?

Do not expect your attorney to guarantee a result. In fact, if she does promise a certain disposition of your case, you should think about finding another attorney, since promises of that sort cannot ethically be made. You should expect a truthful and realistic overview of your case-both good and bad points-from your attorney. You and your attorney are acting together to defend you, and you should have complete confidence in her abilities.