From Steve McCollum:
If you have or someone you care about has a criminal charge against them, you must understand
the stakes, who will be prosecuting you, and what the background and experience is of the lawyer or law firm to whom you are
going to be paying your money. I'd suggest you ask the following questions:
1. What are the possible penalties for this offense?
2. What is the range of possible outcomes based upon my background and the facts of my case?
3. Do you know the prosecutors or prosecutor's office and what actual experience do you have
with that office?
4. How many cases of this type have you
personally handled?
5. What special resources do you or
does your office have to help handle this type of case?
6. After
the initial fee, will there be other added fees possible? How likely is it that you will be charging those fees?
7. Do you have any experience on the other side as a prosecutor for this
type of case?
8. How will you communicate with me about
the progress of my case?
9. What are your responsibilties
for handling this case and what are my responsibilities for helping you defend me?
10. How many trials have you done? How many jury trials have you done?
11. When will you know more about the possible direction of my case?
It is extremely
important that you hire an attorney who has extensive experience as a criminal or juvenile defense lawyer, has extensive experience
with the prosecutor and the jurisdiction where the case is being heard, and who has a proven track record. Good luck
in your search for an attorney.
Steven McCollum
McCollum Hodgkinson,
P.C.