7 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Domestic Violence Attorney

If you are in the unfortunate position to be facing false domestic violence charges, you might not have any idea where to turn to.

It can be a stressful time for everyone concerned, especially if you have factors such as children or capital involved.

Choosing the right domestic violence attorney is crucial for you to fight your case. In this article, we will go through the 7 questions to ask before choosing a domestic violence attorney for you.

Don’t suffer on your own through this difficult period. Read on to find out more and get yourself started on the process on the right steps for a positive resolution.

1. Has the Attorney Practiced This Type of Case Before?

This is one of the most important questions to ask. If your attorney has plenty of experience in the specifics of your individual case then this is a good sign for choosing that particular attorney.

They will be well versed in the aspects of the process and will be able to recommend various courses of action you can take. A lawyer who specializes in your type of case will save you not only time but money in the long run.

2. What is Their Sucess Rate?

This is also a very good question to ask when thinking about settling on one attorney. A success rate and past experiences of defending their clients will say a lot about how well they will be able to operate in court.

This isn’t a guarantee or an indicator of how your own case will go but it shows the proficiency and skill of the attorney and how well they are able to defend their clients in various scenarios.

3. What Is Their Opinion on The Outcome of Your Case?

Attorneys can’t be accurate with everything they anticipate or say but they will have a good idea of how they can see a case panning out and the options on the table.

Ask your attorney what they envision happening in court so this can prepare you and also manage your expectations.

It can be a good idea to get a best-case and worst-case scenario so you aren’t walking into anything with your eyes closed. You need to be prepared for all eventualities and outcomes.

4. Are There Any Alternatives to a Trial?

Trials might not always be the best course of action when looking at the various options for false domestic violence charges.

There might be other avenues to explore such as negotiation or plea deals, which would suit as opposed to having it play out in court.

Discuss the range of options with your attorney that might be available to you and settle on the one that is going to benefit the overall outcome for your situation. There isn’t one correct route when it comes to these types of cases.

5. What Are The Fees or The Expected Fees?

This needs to be transparent and clear from the start. You need to know exactly what the costs for the lawyer fees are going to be, and precisely how they are going to be billed.

Will it be a flat fee that is projected for the work done by the lawyer? Or, will it be an agreed hourly rate? And, how many hours is the attorney expecting to be working on this? This can’t be completely accurate but the attorney should be able to give a good estimation.

This will include fees such as the attorney’s fees but also things such as printing out court documents or expert witnesses.

This all needs to be ironed out and agreed upon before you begin any work with an attorney. You need to make sure you are able to afford the fees before making a big financial commitment.

You might even have cause for counter-suing so there might be an agreement you can work out with your attorney for additional payment if you need to go to trial for a separate issue.

6. How Long Is This Case Expected to Take?

This is also a really important question. Trials and cases are not only draining in a financial sense but can also be draining on an emotional level. This is especially the case if you are accused of things that aren’t even true.

You need to be mentally prepared for the duration of the case and trial and be realistic about the strain it is going to put you under. You aren’t going to be able to go about your usual routine until you get a resolution.

This is why it’s a good idea to ask your lawyer this question so you are accurately informed of the duration of the process. They can’t guarantee the exact dates, but they will have a good idea, due to their experience.

7. How Are We Going To Communicate?

This is a really useful question because it helps you to build trust in your attorney and how you will disclose things to them.

Will you be going to their office in person? Sending stuff over email? Or will you be scheduling weekly phone calls? Decide on how best to communicate and stick to it. It can help to have some consistency in your attorney-client relationship and then everyone will be on the same page.

Domestic Violence Attorney: Where Can I Find Out More?

We hope you have found this article on the 7 questions to ask your domestic violence attorney helpful and informative.

It is important when dealing with these kinds of sensitive cases that you get all the information you need, so you can pave a way forward for your future. Be proactive and help yourself today.

If you have any further questions or queries about hiring a domestic violence attorney, why not contact us directly?