Effective Communication with Your Criminal Defense Attorney

Last Modified: February 1, 2024
By: Thomas HogleMarch 29, 2023 |

Hiring a criminal defense attorney in Mesa is the right thing to do, especially if you’re under investigation or have been charged with a criminal offense. Your lawyer will do their best to understand the case, the charges, and how to proceed. However, communication is one of the most important parts of your attorney-client relationship.

Criminal defense lawyers love communicating with their clients to understand their position and guide them. A properly established communication channel can also help clients to avoid common mistakes that could jeopardize their defense case.

In establishing a positive and strong communication line, clients must understand how to communicate effectively with their criminal defense attorneys. This guide touches on important tips for effective communication with your defense attorney. Read on.

Tips to Help You Communicate Better with Your Criminal Defense Attorney

Effective communication starts from the moment you contact an attorney to schedule a physical consultation session. Going into the lawyer’s office, below are some points you should touch on to improve your overall communication.

How to Contact the Attorney?

Establishing the best way to contact your attorney can shape your experience. Ask to know the easiest communication medium the attorney prefers, whether via phone, text, or email.

When to Contact the Attorney?

Your attorney is expectedly busy and you should want to know the best times to reach them for full attention and support. Ask whether they are most comfortable being contacted in the morning, afternoon, or evenings, weekdays or weekends. Also, ask how to contact them when you have a time-sensitive issue to discuss.

How Often Can You Contact Your Attorney?

Some attorneys have an open-door policy while others don’t. Knowing how often you can contact your attorney can guide your relationship and communication pattern. It is important to negotiate unfavorable communication frequency and abide by the agreed-upon frequency using the appropriate communication channels.

Communicate Your Expectations

Expectations are the most important aspect of your case. It is necessary to discuss your expectations with your attorney forehand and discuss how to manage them. Knowing what to expect regarding your case outcome can help you better prepare your mind. It can also inform your decision on whether you wish to retain the lawyer’s services or not.

Be Organized

Attorneys are busy and would often appreciate it if you’re organized in the way you contact them. It would help if you gathered your thoughts and questions before calling. This can help you reduce the number of hours billed on your case and can also improve the quality of answers you get from your lawyer.

How to Navigate Criminal Charges

Tell Your Story Chronologically

Criminal defense lawyers work with the information you’ve provided to assess your situation and determine the next line of action. They also leverage the information to guide their actions, especially regarding investigations and the directions to push your case.

It would help if you told your story chronologically. Ensure you’re offering a fluid and step-by-step explanation of what happened and how you came about your current situation. Doing this will help your lawyer to better understand the facts and characters in your story. It will also inform them of how each character or fact has played into your current situation.

If you’re unsure how to tell your story, start by journaling everything you remember about your case from the start to the end. You can read through the journal and fix any missing details prior to your consultation appointment.

Be Very Detailed and Graphic, If Possible

The details of your case are very important. As a defendant facing criminal charges, those details may be the relevant bit that would establish your innocence and support your defense.

Always remember that no detail is useless in a criminal defense case. Provide your lawyer with as many details about the case as you can remember. Ensure that important bits like where you were, who was with you, the calls or people you met, and things you did are relayed to your lawyer. Trust your defense lawyer to sort through the rubble for the most important facts.

Don’t Try to Hide Anything

One of the biggest mistakes criminal defendants make is to try to hide information from their lawyers. Such actions can backfire and hurt the defense case, especially when the lawyer is confronted with new information in court.

Defendants should always remember that they have an attorney-client confidentiality advantage. This advantage means that they can discuss anything with their lawyer in private.

It is important to use the confidentiality advantage in your best interest by telling your lawyer everything they need to know. This can help them to better cover all areas of your case while being prepared for the prosecution’s arguments.

Be Calm and Rational

Criminal charges can drive defendants to the edge of their nerves, especially considering the punishment for a conviction. However, defendants should aim to keep their calm in all situations to avoid jeopardizing their chances of walking away or with a smaller penalty.

Defendants should also learn to trust their attorneys while seeking advice from them on issues that may tamper with their case. For instance, criminal defendants should consult with their attorneys before granting interviews to the police or anyone regarding their case. Doing this can protect their interests and prevent them from further indicting themselves.

Maintaining a calm and rational approach to your criminal defense case can greatly improve your chances of a favorable outcome.

Be Informed

Information is key. You and your criminal defense lawyer need the information to support your cause. It is important for you to ask questions and also read up on cases related to yours and the outcomes. Doing this can help you present a better or more important perspective that can shape your defense strategy and, ultimately, your case’s outcome.

Be Patient

Criminal cases are not all the same. Some may take longer than others, depending on the type of allegation, the state, and other factors. It is important that you exercise patience as your lawyer puts everything in motion.

While being patient, you should also ask your lawyer about the activities you can engage in to improve your chances in court. These activities can make a difference and help to strengthen your defense in court.

Hiring a criminal defense lawyer is important to improve your chances in court. Knowing how to communicate with them can also further improve your experience. Visit https://canyonstatelaw.com/mesa-criminal-defense-lawyer/ if you’re looking for a criminal defense lawyer or information about hiring one.

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Thomas Hogle
Thomas Hogle is a Principal Attorney at Genesis Criminal Defense and DUI Lawyers, leads a dedicated legal team specializing in criminal defense and DUI cases, offering comprehensive and skilled representation to clients facing legal challenges.
21321 E Ocotillo Rd Suite 125, Queen Creek, AZ 85142

Genesis DUI & Criminal Defense Lawyers - Peoria AZ Office

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