If you are charged with a crime and you already hired a criminal lawyer, there’s still one step you need to take.
It would help you a lot if you also prepare a list of questions about your case base on your goals just as how you prepare in assessing your lawyer. And since it is a crucial event in your life, you might overlook some questions you need to ask your lawyer before going to court.
You should ask your lawyer the following important queries:
Are there any sentencing alternatives available in my case?
An alternative punishment may refer to home detention, community service, probation, therapy, or work programs.
If you don’t want to serve time in prison in the whole duration of your sentence, you could be granted one of these sentencing alternatives. Yet, sentencing alternatives are not available to all criminal cases, so ask your lawyer beforehand if yours has it. But maybe sometimes you don’t really need to ask because your lawyer will initially tell you so.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
From the initial consultation, your lawyer should already have in-depth knowledge of your case.Therefore, he/she could determine the advantages and disadvantages of your case -- how to overcome those weaknesses and how to use those strengths for a more favorable outcome.
What are my legal options?
The legal options your lawyer may recommend include a guilty plea, plea agreement, or trial.
Before you decide to plead guilty or agree with what is written in the disclosure package, discuss it first with your lawyer. He/She can give you legal advice and the possible sentence you are likely to receive if you plead guilty.
Your lawyer may also recommend a plea agreement of which you will assent to plead guilty in exchange for an agreement by the prosecutor -- could be to drop one or more charges against you, reduce a charge, or recommend a sentence to the judge more favorable for you.
With a trial, after you are charged with a crime, the case directly proceeds to trial. This is the most complex legal option because you have to go through a lot of phases -- specifically six main phases which include jury selection, opening statements, witness testimony and cross-examination, closing arguments, jury instruction, jury deliberation and verdict.
What potential problems do you anticipate to occur with my case?
Working with almost the same cases for years did really good for experienced criminal lawyers that they can already perceive what would happen with your case if you do this and that. Much more, they can foresee as well, some possible complications that may occur during the legal proceedings.
Regardless what type of crime you are charged with, such queries could surely help you come up with wiser choices. If there are more questions you would like to ask your criminal lawyer, take every opportunity to ask about it. Moreover, it is also advisable to discuss your goals with him/her to properly work in your favor.
Need a reliable legal advice? Visit Wise & Donahue Law Firm at 10476 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, Virginia 22030 or you may call 703-934-6377.
It would help you a lot if you also prepare a list of questions about your case base on your goals just as how you prepare in assessing your lawyer. And since it is a crucial event in your life, you might overlook some questions you need to ask your lawyer before going to court.
You should ask your lawyer the following important queries:
Are there any sentencing alternatives available in my case?
An alternative punishment may refer to home detention, community service, probation, therapy, or work programs.
If you don’t want to serve time in prison in the whole duration of your sentence, you could be granted one of these sentencing alternatives. Yet, sentencing alternatives are not available to all criminal cases, so ask your lawyer beforehand if yours has it. But maybe sometimes you don’t really need to ask because your lawyer will initially tell you so.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
From the initial consultation, your lawyer should already have in-depth knowledge of your case.Therefore, he/she could determine the advantages and disadvantages of your case -- how to overcome those weaknesses and how to use those strengths for a more favorable outcome.
What are my legal options?
The legal options your lawyer may recommend include a guilty plea, plea agreement, or trial.
Before you decide to plead guilty or agree with what is written in the disclosure package, discuss it first with your lawyer. He/She can give you legal advice and the possible sentence you are likely to receive if you plead guilty.
Your lawyer may also recommend a plea agreement of which you will assent to plead guilty in exchange for an agreement by the prosecutor -- could be to drop one or more charges against you, reduce a charge, or recommend a sentence to the judge more favorable for you.
With a trial, after you are charged with a crime, the case directly proceeds to trial. This is the most complex legal option because you have to go through a lot of phases -- specifically six main phases which include jury selection, opening statements, witness testimony and cross-examination, closing arguments, jury instruction, jury deliberation and verdict.
What potential problems do you anticipate to occur with my case?
Working with almost the same cases for years did really good for experienced criminal lawyers that they can already perceive what would happen with your case if you do this and that. Much more, they can foresee as well, some possible complications that may occur during the legal proceedings.
Regardless what type of crime you are charged with, such queries could surely help you come up with wiser choices. If there are more questions you would like to ask your criminal lawyer, take every opportunity to ask about it. Moreover, it is also advisable to discuss your goals with him/her to properly work in your favor.
Need a reliable legal advice? Visit Wise & Donahue Law Firm at 10476 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, Virginia 22030 or you may call 703-934-6377.
