| A first meeting with a criminal lawyer generally occurs | | | | Your attorney should provide you with this |
| under situations of duress. A crime was committed, | | | | information: |
| you are the alleged perpetrator of the crime, and the | | | | A copy of the statute against which you are |
| consequences of being charged and possibly | | | | being charged |
| convicted can have lasting adverse consequences on | | | | Your courtroom assignment(s) |
| your life. | | | | A profile or other description of the judge |
| As any criminal defense lawyer will tell you, getting | | | | Sentencing outcomes typical in such cases when |
| started on your defense as soon as possible can | | | | a defendant is found guilty |
| make all the difference in achieving the most | | | | Preliminary thoughts on how the case may be |
| successful outcome for your case. | | | | defended |
| What will be discussed in that meeting and what | | | | Criminal defense lawyers represent a broad range of |
| should you bring with you? First and foremost, your | | | | people accused of a wide spectrum of crimes. These |
| first meeting is for both parties to determine if they | | | | include drunk driving (OWI, operating while |
| should work together on your case. You must be | | | | intoxicated), drug-related offenses, and charges |
| comfortable with your criminal defense lawyers. Your | | | | relating to assault and battery, burglary, child abuse, |
| working relationship with your attorney is extremely | | | | computer crime, financial fraud, disorderly conduct, |
| important. Criminal lawyers will also want to assess | | | | embezzlement, extortion, forgery, illegal gun |
| your case to understand the challenges it might | | | | possession, identity theft, indecent exposure, |
| present and establish a clear understanding of the | | | | manslaughter and murder, perjury, prostitution, |
| fee structure. | | | | protective orders, rape, robbery, securities fraud, tax |
| If you were already charged with a crime, you should | | | | evasion, traffic offenses, and wire fraud. |
| bring any documents provided by law enforcement | | | | Each type of criminal charge requires a criminal |
| officials. It is useful to document the sequence of | | | | defense lawyer who is familiar with these areas of |
| events that led to your arrest, as well as anything | | | | law. Therefore, firms that specialize strictly in criminal |
| that happened since. | | | | law will most likely have the experience necessary |
| Information your attorney should give you | | | | for your particular case. |