8 Questions To Ask A Montgomery Juvenile Defense Attorney Before Hiring

When a child gets caught in the justice system, it can be difficult for everyone involved. When a minor is arrested, it’s often cause for panic and outrage for the parent.

The situation may be dire, but there is hope.

When your child is the accused of a crime, it’s not time to take the law into your own hands. Emotional parents can often complicate things and make matters worse. It’s best to let an experienced Montgomery Juvenile Defense Attorney work on your behalf and insure your child has the best chance at a future they deserve.

How do you know you’re getting the best juvenile attorney to represent your child? These questions below will help you determine if your lawyer is the right one.

The Concerns of a Juvenile Arrest

It is a scary thought for any parent, getting that call that your child is under arrest. A lot of thoughts can go through your head.

You may anger towards any number of individuals, or sadness that this has happened. In the moment, it is hard to ignore those emotions.

To best help your child, though, you must be calm, collected, and set up a legal defense as soon as possible.

Questions to Ask Your Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney

Meeting with a lawyer can be a stressful time. An experienced juvenile criminal defense attorney can explain things and relieve some of the stress you may feel.

Regardless of who you hire, it is always good to come prepared for your meeting. These 8 questions will cover your bases in regards to what you need to know when picking the best juvenile lawyer for you and your child.

1. What is Your Experience with Juveniles?

As there is a lot less concrete background to juvenile cases, due to the larger number of adult cases on record, experience in these types of cases is key.

Has your lawyer represented a minor before? Have they represented, or even sat in on, a juvenile law case?

The more years a lawyer can note as experience in this particular matter, the better hands you are in. Most law firms will note their expertise in juvenile cases, as it is less common than other types of cases.

2. What is Your Experience with My Charges?

Each court case is different. Every charge accused brings with it a dozen variables that all need consideration in different ways.

A lawyer’s experience can be vast, but the most important note here is how the lawyer views the case. Even if they have no experience with the exact charge, they may be able to identify the similarities this charge has with other cases.

A lawyer with no experience, but with an eye towards adapting and understanding what each charge means can still be invaluable.

3. Are you Attorney who will Handle my Case?

When dealing with a large law firm, it is a common practice to send in a senior lawyer in for a consultation. Afterward, a junior lawyer may be in charge of the case.

This is common, so you need to be upfront and make sure the questions you ask are going to who you need to judge yourself.

It would be a waste to spend time with all these questions only to find the lawyer you asked is not the one representing you.

This also gives you a good idea of who you have to deal with. You can be confident with whom the law firm sends as consultation.

Though, if the actual lawyer in question has nothing but inexperience and uncertainty, then the firm in question is not right for you.

4. What is Your Fee Structure?

Payment is, as always, a big consideration with any service.

Lawyer fees can be simple. The more you question and go over, the easier the idea will be. Is there an hourly fee or a flat rate? Are there retainer fees? Does going to court affect your fee? What other expenses may come up in this case?

5. What’s the Likely Outcome of my Case?

No juvenile lawyer can guarantee an outcome. However, experienced juvenile lawyers can review the details of your case and discuss strategies and the range of possible outcomes.

Beware if they promise too much. Sometimes less skilled lawyers may say what you want to hear to get your business. Don’t let yourself be sold a pipe dream. Your child’s future may depend on this person, so you want to make sure your lawyer sits and talks out the details with you.

An experienced juvenile defense attorney will have no trouble covering details of your case and the possible outcomes based on their extensive experience.

6. Have You Ever Worked as a Prosecutor?

There are an elite few defense lawyers who have experience on both sides of the bench. This gives them a unique understanding of the inner workings of the court, the judges, and the law enforcement people involved. They’ve been in their shoes, so they have a better idea how to present your child’s case.

Imagine a football coach who’s got the other teams playbook. That can be incredibly useful at game time.

Find out if the juvenile criminal attorney you’re meeting has experience working on the other side of the bench as a prosecutor or with the district attorneys office. This experience is priceless and could pave the way for your child’s future freedom.

7. What Possible Strategies Do You Suggest?

The answer to this can vary from case to case, and from lawyer to lawyer. The important thing here is that they have, or can come up with, a sound strategy that fits you and the charges against you.

The strategy they might suggest will not be the absolute way your case should go. In the early stages of consultation, there are still many variables to consider.

The idea is having a solid grip of how similar cases may go. As well, a good lawyer can notice and understand many of the prime variables right away, such as the degree of charges and nature of the incident.

8. What Can I Do to Help my Case?

The best juvenile criminal attorneys will give you advice on how to proceed moving forward. They will suggest how you and your child should go about the coming weeks in order to reduce your anxiety and position for the best possible outcome. They are advocating for you and any suggestions they make will be in you and your child’s best interest.

A juvenile criminal lawyer’s job can get complicated. The last thing they need is for their client to do something that could jeopardize the entire case. Listen to your lawyer, do what they tell you to do, and be open and willing to proceed with their plan.

Get The Best Lawyer For You And Your Child

Dealing with the criminal justice system is never easy. When a child is facing charges, it can be an incredibly difficult and frightening time. With the right juvenile criminal defense attorney, you can give your child the best chance at a favorable outcome. If you or a loved one are in trouble in Montgomery or Houston area, contact the law firm of Andrea M. Kolski. We have over 20+ years experience with juvenile criminal charges. Let us help you stand up for your child and their future.