Questions to Ask When Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Sacramento

Getting arrested for a crime is scary. Even if you’re innocent, the legal system can feel overwhelming. A good criminal defense lawyer can help guide you through the process and protect your rights. But not all lawyers are created equal. You need someone experienced who will fight aggressively on your behalf. When meeting with potential attorneys in Sacramento, asking the right questions is key to finding the best fit. Here are some important things to discuss:

1. What experience do you have with my specific charges?

One of the most important factors is choosing a lawyer who regularly handles cases similar to yours. For example, if you’re charged with a drug crime, you’ll want someone well-versed in California drug laws and defense strategies. Or if it’s a white collar crime like embezzlement or fraud, find an attorney with expertise in financial cases.

Ask how many cases like yours the lawyer has handled in the past 5 years. More experience means they’ll likely have more insights into how prosecutors approach these charges and the best ways to get a good outcome. Don’t be afraid to ask for specifics – you want an attorney who has represented people on the exact charges you’re facing.

2. What will your legal strategy be for my case?

Every case is unique, so make sure to understand how the attorney plans to approach defending you. Will they recommend taking your case to trial, or try to negotiate a plea bargain? What particular defenses might apply in your situation?

For example, if you were arrested for drug possession, potential defenses could include arguing the search was illegal, you didn’t actually possess the drugs, or the substance wasn’t illegal under California law. Knowing which strategies the lawyer typically uses will give you insight into their approach.

3. What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?

A good criminal defense lawyer will give you an honest assessment of your case. They should explain the prosecutor’s burden of proof and whether they think the evidence is strong or weak. If your case has weaknesses, you want an attorney who will exploit them to get charges reduced or dismissed.

Ask the lawyer what facts or evidence they think helps your case and what hurts it. Their ability to analyze the strengths and weaknesses shows their strategic thinking skills. Make sure you feel they understand the nuances of your situation.

4. Will you be the attorney actually handling my case?

Some law firms hand off work to less experienced attorneys or paralegals. You want to confirm you’ll be working directly with the lawyer you meet with. Ask who at the firm will be involved in your case, what their roles will be, and how available they’ll be to answer your questions.

The lawyer’s experience matters, but so does the level of personal attention and communication they’ll provide. Make sure you feel confident working closely with whoever will be managing your defense day-to-day.

5. Do you have experience negotiating with the prosecutor on my type of charges?

For many cases, reaching a plea bargain is preferable to going to trial. An experienced negotiator can often get charges reduced or even dismissed. Ask if the attorney has a track record of successfully negotiating pleas on charges like yours in Sacramento courts.

Look for inside knowledge of the prosecutors’ typical strategies. An attorney who has worked extensively with the district attorney’s office will understand their priorities and when they’re likely to make a deal.

6. Will you fight aggressively to protect my rights?

The attorney should be willing to fight hard if that’s what it takes to protect you. Ask how far they’re willing to go to defend you, even if it means lengthy court battles. Make sure they won’t push you to take a bad plea deal just to resolve the case quickly.

Look for assurances they’ll pursue every legal option, challenge unconstitutional actions by police or prosecutors, and take your case to trial if needed. You want a lawyer who won’t back down.

7. Can you share examples of successful case results for charges like mine?

Past performance speaks volumes about a lawyer’s skills. Ask for specific examples of positive outcomes they’ve achieved on similar cases recently. Were they able to get charges dismissed pre-trial? Negotiate reduced sentences? Win at trial?

Seeing solid evidence of their abilities will give you confidence in their effectiveness. Just make sure the case examples are comparable to your exact charges and circumstances.

8. How quickly do you return calls and emails?

You need an attorney who is responsive and makes you feel like a priority. Ask how long it typically takes them to return calls or emails from clients. How can you get in touch if you have an urgent question?

Look for assurances they’ll keep you updated on your case and respond promptly to questions. Responsiveness is key to a positive attorney-client relationship.

9. Do you have sufficient time to dedicate to my defense?

Some lawyers take on too many cases and spread themselves too thin. You want to confirm they have the bandwidth to give your case the focus it deserves.

Ask how many active cases the lawyer is currently handling. Will defending you be a priority? Make sure they’ll have time to do things like interview witnesses, negotiate with prosecutors, and adequately prepare if your case goes to trial.

10. What are your fees and how do you bill?

Never hire a lawyer without fully understanding their fee structure. Ask:

• Do they charge hourly, flat fee, or contingency fee? Get specifics.
• What expenses might be additional costs (experts, investigations, etc)?
• What is the upfront retainer fee and when is payment required?
• How and when will they bill you for remaining fees as the case proceeds?
• Are there pricing options if money is tight?
• Will they help you explore payment assistance programs?

Being confident you can afford representation is critical. Don’t hesitate to negotiate fees if needed.

11. Can you share past client reviews and testimonials?

The best indicator of an attorney’s skills and client service is feedback from people they’ve represented. Ask to see testimonials, online reviews, or client references.

Look for consistent themes showing the attorney is trustworthy, gets positive results, and makes clients feel informed and heard. This provides assurance the lawyer will be a strong advocate for you as well.

12. Are you willing to go to trial if needed?

The only way to guarantee a criminal conviction is at trial. Your lawyer should be fully prepared to mount a vigorous defense in court if negotiating a plea deal isn’t in your best interest.

Ask how often they take cases like yours to trial. What is their success record? Make sure they have courtroom litigation experience and won’t pressure you to plead guilty for convenience.

Going to trial is stressful but sometimes necessary. Your lawyer should be ready and willing to fight for your freedom before a judge and jury.

13. Will you help me understand each step of the legal process?

The criminal justice system can be intimidating. Ask if the lawyer will educate you on what happens at each stage, including:

• Arrest and booking
• Bail and pretrial release
• Preliminary hearings
• Grand jury proceedings
• Plea bargaining
• Motions and pretrial hearings
• Trial
• Sentencing

Look for someone who welcomes questions and takes time to explain procedures, courtroom protocol, and your rights. You need to feel fully informed.

14. How can I get my charges reduced or dismissed?

Your best outcome is getting charges dropped early. A top defense lawyer will know creative ways to make that happen, such as:

• Leveraging procedural mistakes by police
• Challenging admissibility of evidence
• Negotiating with the prosecutor
• Presenting exculpatory evidence
• Securing alternative resolutions like drug treatment

Ask about strategies they’ve used to get charges reduced or dropped pre-trial. Their experience dismissing cases shows their effectiveness.

15. Will you help me avoid future legal issues?

The right lawyer won’t just resolve your immediate case, but help you move forward. Ask if they will provide guidance to avoid problems down the road, like:

• Helping expunge charges from your record
• Connecting you with useful resources and services
• Giving advice to stay out of the criminal justice system

Look for a lawyer invested in your long-term well-being. Your future should be a priority.

16. What happens if I can’t afford your fees?

Unfortunately, quality legal help is expensive. But a good lawyer won’t abandon you if money is tight. Ask how they handle clients with financial limitations.

• Do they offer payment plans or discounted rates?
• Will they help you apply for a public defender?
• Are there local legal aid organizations they work with?

Look for commitment to finding solutions so you can still get experienced representation. Don’t get stuck with an overworked public defender.

17. Can I speak with some of your past clients?

The best way to evaluate a lawyer is getting direct feedback from people they’ve represented. Quality attorneys should be able to provide client references.

Ask to speak with a few former clients with similar charges as yours. Get their impressions on the lawyer’s communication skills, legal expertise, and results. Nothing provides more valuable insights than a client’s first-hand experience.

18. How can I prepare to help you build my defense?

Your participation is crucial to building a strong case. Ask what information and assistance the lawyer needs from you. Being organized and proactive helps them defend you effectively.

Potential ways you can help:

• Writing a detailed timeline of events
• Gathering relevant documents
• Compiling a list of potential witnesses
• Retrieving text messages or social media posts
• Researching applicable laws and penalties

The more engaged you are, the better the outcome. Offer to help in any way you can.

19. What should I do right now to help my case?

Early actions are critical to your defense. Ask what immediate steps the lawyer recommends to preserve your rights, such as:

• Avoiding speaking with police or prosecutors before consulting them
• Not posting about your case on social media
• Securing potential evidence like surveillance footage
• Obtaining documents to corroborate your side
• Identifying people willing to testify on your behalf

Smart prep work from the outset will pay dividends down the road. Follow their expert advice.