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Questions to Ask When Hiring a Philadelphia Federal Criminal Lawyer
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Questions to Ask When Hiring a Philadelphia Federal Criminal Lawyer
Finding the right federal criminal defense attorney in Philadelphia can feel overwhelming. You’re probably scared, confused, and desperate to understand the legal process and possible outcomes.
I get it — I’ve been there. When my son got arrested, I didn’t know where to turn. But asking the right questions helped me find an attorney I could trust.
Their Experience
One of the most important things is picking a lawyer whose done this before. Don’t go with someone who usually handles small drug cases or DUIs. You need someone whose represented people in federal court specificly.
Here’s what to ask:
- How long have you practiced federal criminal defense law?
- What percent of your caseload is federal cases?
- How many federal criminal trials have you taken to verdict?
- Have you handled cases similar to mine before?
Pay attention to how they answer. Do they seem confident and knowledgeable? Can they talk specifics about trial strategy and federal sentencing guidelines? Or do they dodge the questions?
Their Track Record
You obviously want someone who gets results. These questions will help you gauge their success rate:
- What are some positive outcomes you’ve gotten for past clients?
- What percent of your federal cases end in plea bargains versus trials?
- Have you ever lost a case at trial? What percent are losses verses wins?
Good lawyers will give nuanced answers — they may highlight big wins but also be upfront about setbacks or cases ending in reasonable plea deals. Anyone who claims they’ve never lost a case probably isn’t being totally honest.
Their Fees
Federal criminal defense lawyers are expensive — with retainers starting around $10-$15k and sometimes reaching $100k or more for complex trials .
Be clear on their fee structure upfront by asking:
- Do you charge hourly, flat fees, or retainers? What are your rates?
- What expenses might come up beyond your fees (experts, investigators, etc)?
- Do you offer payment plans for people who can’t afford the full retainer upfront?
If their fees are out of your price range, ask if they have associates who handle federal cases at lower rates that they can refer you to.
The Game Plan
You need an attorney who will investigate your case, consider possible defenses, and put together a customized defense strategy. Ask things like:
- If I hire you, what are the first steps? What will you do to start preparing my defense?
- Are there any possible defenses you see given the charges against me?
- Based on what you know, what are some likely case outcomes or sentences I’m facing?
Listen for thorough, thoughtful responses about next steps, rather than vague generalities. You want someone who dives into the specifics of your situation.
Their Availability
Some lawyers take on too many clients to give you proper attention. Make sure to ask:
- How many other federal criminal cases are you working on right now?
- Can I reach you directly if I have questions or need to talk? Or do you have assistants/paralegals as points of contact?
- Will you be the lead attorney actually trying my case if it goes to trial?
Ideally you want to work directly with the lead attorney, not get passed off to junior lawyers or assistants all the time.
Trust Your Gut
At the end of the day, this is someone you need to trust completely to defend your freedom and future. Consider:
- Do you feel comfortable talking openly and honestly with this lawyer?
- Do you get the sense they truly care about you and your case?
- Or do they seem distracted, impatient, or too overworked to focus on your situation?
If your gut tells you something seems “off,” don’t second guess yourself. Keep looking for someone who feels like the right fit.
I know it’s scary trying to understand the complex federal justice system when your life hangs in the balance. But asking the right questions helps you find the defense attorney you need to fight for the best possible outcome. It comes down to doing your research, trusting your instincts, and investing in the lawyer that’s right for YOU.
You got this!