What Do You Need To Bring To A Consultation With An Indiana Criminal Defense Attorney?
If this is your first time hiring a criminal defense attorney, you may be unsure about how to prepare for your initial consultation. You may be uncertain about what to bring to your consultation with an Indiana criminal defense attorney. Below, we discuss what you need to bring to your consultation with an Indiana criminal defense attorney.
Documents Relating to Your Criminal Case
You should bring your legal identification to your initial consultation with an Indiana criminal defense attorney. For example, your identification card and/or driver’s license. In addition to that, you should bring other documents relating to your case, such as the following;
- Police reports
- Complaint documents
- Bail papers
- Medical reports (if applicable)
- Any restraining order information
Additionally, if you have a criminal history, you should bring any documents relating to your previous charges.
Items You Think Could Be Used as Evidence
If you have gathered items you think could be used as evidence in your case, carry them to your consultation with a criminal defense attorney. This could be text messages, pictures, videos, emails, or other documents. Whether or not you are certain something is relevant, carry it and let your attorney determine if it is.
A Detailed Narrative of What Happened
Prepare a version of events, and bring this written narrative with you to your consultation. In your narrative, ensure you include as many details as possible. Ensure your narrative is thorough enough so the criminal defense attorney can understand what happened. Your attorney can determine what additional investigation or information is needed through your narrative.
Tip: You should write down your recollection of events as soon as possible before you start forgetting things.
A List of Witnesses
You should also prepare a list of witnesses who can help corroborate your story and carry that list with you to your consultation with a criminal defense attorney. Write down the witnesses’ names together with their contact information. In addition to names and contact information, write down the nature of your relationships with the witnesses. If you do not have the contact information of witnesses, you can write down where a person lives or works, and your attorney can reach out to them later if the need arises.
Questions for the Attorney
Finally, you should bring to a consultation with a criminal defense attorney a list of the questions you have for the attorney. It is important that you write your questions down ahead of time because nervousness might make you forget what you want to ask during your consultation with a criminal defense attorney.
The following are some questions to ask during your consultation with a criminal defense attorney;
- How long have you been practicing criminal law?
- Have you handled cases like mine before?
- Is there a chance my charges could be dropped?
- What are the potential penalties for the charges I’m facing?
- Will you be the attorney handling my case? If not, who will handle my case?
- What are the strengths of my case?
- What are the weaknesses of my case?
- What options do I have for defenses or plea bargains?
Plea bargaining is when you make an agreement with the State, admitting guilt and setting the terms of your sentence.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you are facing criminal charges in Indiana and need legal representation, contact a qualified Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer at Rigney Law LLC.
