Your attorney should be supportive and knowledgeable about your case. If you have a feeling your attorney might not be right for you read this list. Then if it confirms your suspicions, hire a new one.
1.Empathy
Trials are very personal things that greatly affect the accused lives. Your attorney could be the difference between losing your savings, your job and your house. The best lawyers care about their clients and go out of their way to help them with the challenges of going to court. You should feel like your lawyer has your back and you aren’t just a paycheck.
2. Showing up on time
Whether it is in the courtroom or when you are meeting to discuss the case, your attorney should be there. Yes, attorneys are often juggling multiple cases at once but you should never feel like your case is less important.
3. Communication
Your attorney should walk you through what to expect both in the courtroom and out of the courtroom. If you feel flustered and can’t get answers from your attorney, or they simply won’t pick up the phone, it’s time to hire a new one. Agree on how you and your attorney will communicate during the initial contact.
4. No results
Cases can drag on for weeks, months, even years. It will feel like no progress is being done on your case at times but that may not be because of your attorney. However, if your attorney has not laid out a plan, explained deadlines to you and no end date planned they may just be holding you on the line for their retainer. Time to cut ties.
Thank you for visiting Gabriella Young’s blog, an Austin criminal defense attorney. We write to inform locals about news, events and law changes.