What to Ask Before Hiring an Oakland County Criminal Defense Attorney

When a person needs to hire a criminal attorney, they usually need to find one promptly. However, prior to hiring one, certain questions need to be asked.

Meeting with an Oakland County Criminal Defense Attorney

When a person first meets with an attorney, they typically take the following items along to the meeting:

• Any documents received from the court that show the charges and next appearance date

• The bail papers

• If the person’s property was searched, they take any papers the police gave them

• A copy of the police report, if available

Defense attorneys also find it helpful if clients provide a list of witnesses, other defendants and victims.

Many clients also take along a list of questions to ask their oakland county criminal defense attorney.

1. The Attorney’s Experience and Background

When a client first meets with the attorney, they usually find out if he or she has prior experience defending against similar charges. Questions asked include:

• Where did the attorney attend law school and when did he or she graduate?

• How long have they been practicing criminal law?

• How often do they appear in court?

• Do they regularly negotiate plea agreements?

• How often do their clients go to trial?

• How familiar are they with the charges against the client?

2. Assessment of the Case

Whether a person is charged with a crime in a state, federal or county court, they will want their defense attorney to offer a good idea of what lies ahead. Questions asked include:

• What are the client’s legal options? Should they plead guilty, make a plea agreement or go to trial?

• What aspects of the case will work in the client’s favor?

• What potential problems could arise?

• What can the client expect at different stages of the process, including motions, disposition and trail?

3. Case Management

This is the term attorneys use to describe how the logistics of a case are handled. It is important to understand what goes on behind the scenes in a case to avoid misunderstandings. Typical questions include:

• Is the attorney available to represent the client?

• Will anyone else be working on the case? Is the client able to meet them?

• Will the attorney be personally representing the client in court, or will the responsibility lie with someone else?

• If the client has questions, who should they contact?

• How does the attorney prefer to be contacts and how quickly do they usually respond?

4. Hiring a Criminal Attorney

After a client meets with a criminal attorney or two, they will have to select one. If they only met with one and are happy with the way the attorney operates, that makes the decision easier.

If the client is struggling to decide, they could ask themselves:

• Which attorney has the experience they need with the charges they are facing?

• Which attorney offered the advice the client found most helpful?

The answers to such questions will lead the client facing criminal charges to the best defense attorney to represent their case.

Oakland County Lawyers Can Assist with a Personal Injury Claim

The time immediately after a person a been injured in an accident or slip and fall can be stressful and confusing. Once they have taken care of their health, they can consider a personal injury claim for the injuries they incurred.

The First Step in Filing for a Personal Injury Claim

There are several steps that can be taken, in any order, to claim for an injury. These steps are:

• Collecting evidence that will point to the person who caused the accident and the damage that was caused as a result.

• Notating everything that happened to the injured person after the accident. This could include items such as hospital bills and lost work.

• Collecting names and contact details of witnesses that observed the accident.

Oakland County Lawyers Advise There Is a Time Limit for Filing a Lawsuit

There is a time limit to filing a lawsuit for injury compensation. Settling a personal injury claim is time consuming and if a claim is not filed in a timely manner, the injured person may not be able to collect compensation.

The statutes of limitations note a maximum time a person has to bring particular lawsuits. Once that time period passes, the injured person may be barred from bringing a lawsuit to recover for their injuries.

Oakland county lawyers are familiar with the state’s statute of limitations and will advise if the person’s personal injury claim has a time period by which a lawsuit needs to be filed.

Personal Injury Claims Against the Government

Unlike filing a claim against a company or individual, if someone needs to file a claim against a government employee, government agency or the government itself, there is a limited amount of time in which that claim has to be filed. Depending on the type of case and the state in which a person lives, the time period can range from 30 days to one year. If the timelines are not abided by, the person could lose their right to recover any type of compensation for their injuries or damage to property.

When to Notify a Person of a Claim

If one is planning on filing a lawsuit against an individual or other entity that is not a government agency or the government, there is no set time limit by which they have to be notified of the intention to file a suit. However, this does not mean someone should take their time with the matter. By acting timeously, the chances are increased that the claim will be resolved quicker.

Even if one notifies people of their intention to file a lawsuit, it does not necessarily mean that they have to file the suit. By giving notice, the injured person only preserves their rights and prevents other parties from defending against the lawsuit with the argument that too much time passed.

By notifying other parties, one simply ensures that they will be able to proceed with negotiations regarding a settlement and arbitration at their own speed, without feeling pressured or rushed.

A personal injury claim can usually be settled with the right assistance.