When Your Freedom Is at Stake, You Must Be Prepared

Facing criminal accusations of any kind can catch anyone off guard, regardless of whether they've been arrested before or not. Following an arrest, you must act strategically and hire a criminal defense attorney right away so they can protect your rights from the very beginning.

But how do you know which lawyer is right for you?

A strong, trusting lawyer-client relationship is one of the most important elements for a successful case. But before you can experience such a connection, you must have an initial consultation to discuss your case and determine whether the attorney is right for you. To have a productive initial interview and waste no time, you must be prepared with the proper information and knowledge.

5 Things to Do Before Your Consultation

The information below is not legal advice, but rather information to help you understand what to anticipate at your initial case review:

Research the law firm: The legal representation you hire can determine the course and outcome of your case. Thus, it's vital to do your homework and learn as much information about the law firm as possible.

• Browse their website to learn their values and how they sell themselves
• Explore the attorney's education, honors/awards, and training
• Read reviews on the firm and its lawyers
• Research their background
• Learn about their case history (cases tried and won)

Create a list of questions to ask: Following your criminal charge, your mind may feel like it's running a million miles a minute. While it may feel overwhelming to have numerous questions and no immediate answer, you should take advantage of this by writing down those questions so you can get them answered during your consultation. Examples include:

• What experience do you have with similar cases?
• What are your practice areas?
• Are there alternatives to going to trial?
• What is the best/worst-case scenario?
• Who will I contact about my case?
• How long have you been practicing law?
• How much do you charge?
• Will you handle my case yourself?

Gather relevant documents & make multiple copies: Bring as many documents and objects (besides weapons) that you think are related to your case. If you're unsure of whether something is relevant or not, we encourage you to bring it anyways. The more, the better.

• Legal paperwork
• Certificates
• Significant objects
• Court orders
• Letters
• Receipts
• Financial statements
• Police reports
• Potential evidence: Pictures, videos, text messages, emails, social media posts, etc.

Bring a notepad to take notes: Your lawyer may mention key things that you may want to remember. If they allow you to take notes, do so with caution to protect the confidentiality of your consultation and criminal case.

Consider bringing a friend or family member for support: It doesn't matter if this is your first criminal charge or not, having your family's and friends' support can make a huge difference for your peace of mind. Thus, we encourage you to bring a trusted person to stand by your side during your confidential consultation.

If you consult with The Ambeau Law Firm to potentially represent you, your friend or family member must leave the room when we review the facts and discuss potential criminal liability in your case. This ensures you are as honest and comfortable when disclosing information as possible.

Our Baton Rouge criminal defense attorney is ready to discuss your case during a free consultation. Call (225) 330-7009 to make an appointment!

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