You should ask questions before hiring a lawyer. What questions should you ask an attorney? Below is a list of questions to ask a lawyer before you hire the lawyer.
Who will be my Lawyer?
Will you be the lawyer who is actually handling my case?
Will you be the lawyer who shows up to court with me?
Will I be able to speak to you if I have a question or concern?
In many law firms, the person you initially meet with is not the person who ends up handling your case. Even the lawyer who is eventually assigned to your case may not be the same lawyer who actually shows up on your court date to handle your case.
What is it going to cost me?
Are there going to be any additional fees or costs?
If I choose to go to trial, is that and additional fee?
What is you experience?
What background do you have that qualifies you to handle my case?
What training do you have with in dealing with these issues?
Have you ever been a prosecutor? If so, where? and for how long?
What training do you have with the issues involved in my case?
How many cases like mine have you handled?
How often do you handle this specific type of case?
How often do you deal with this particular prosecutor?
How often do you appear in this court?
How often do you appear before this particular Judge?
Additional Questions:
What is your current caseload?
Why do you handle this specific type of case?
How long should I expect to wait to hear back from you if I have to leave a message for you?
Do you have any disciplinary record with the Arizona State Bar?
Do you have a disciplinary record with the state bar of any other state?
Why should I choose you as my lawyer?
Don’t be embarrassed to ask these questions of a lawyer and any others you might have. Your lawyer should be a professional and skilled communicator. If the lawyer doesn’t have time, seems annoyed or evasive, this should tell you something. If you feel like the question wasn’t directly answered, or not answered at all, this should also tell you something. Choosing the right lawyer is a very important decision that may affect the rest of your life, so take your time and don’t be afraid to ask your lawyer questions.