Frequently Asked Questions
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How much are your fees?
My fees vary from case to case. I consider a number of factors before setting a fee. Some of the factors I consider are the nature of the charges, the clients background, the complexity of the case, and the amount of time the case will take to prepare. I also consider my level of experience.
What factors should I am consider when I hiring a criminal defense attorney?
There are three factors that I suggest you consider.
First, you should hire a real criminal defense lawyer to defend you. There are lots of lawyers out there who claim to be criminal defense lawyers but they are not. You should hire a lawyer whose career is dedicated to defending people just like yourself. In other words dont hire a civil lawyer to handle your criminal case. I have 28 years experience in state and federal criminal law. I dont handle any other kind of case. If you want to get divorced you have to call someone else.
Second, you should hire a lawyer who will communicate with you. You dont want a lawyer who is hard to reach or a lawyer who will not return your calls. One of the biggest complaints about lawyers is their failure to return calls. You want a lawyer who will keep you infomed and wont keep you in the dark. In my office, my calls are routed directly to my legal assistant. My legal assistant advises me of all calls and I return them or she returns them for me as quickly as possible.
Third, you should hire a lawyer that you can afford. It makes no sense to enter into a fee agreement with an attorney that you cannot keep. You want your lawyer worrying about your case and protecting your liberty. You dont want your lawyer wondering if he is going to get paid. Make sure you hire a lawyer that you can and will pay. My fees vary from case to case. However, as an experienced criminal defense lawyer I charge real fees. I work with people and will consider payment plans upon request.
What do you think about lawyers who promise they can win my case?
I think that there are lawyers out there that will say almost anything to get a prospective client to hire them. It is unethical for a lawyer to promise a client that he will win the case. Any lawyer who makes such a promise should be reported to the State Bar of Texas.
When I hire you, what do you do to defend me?
There are many steps to defending someone. I always start by interviewing my client. I want to hear your story. I want to know what happened. I look at what happened and I build a defense around the truth. I review the governments reports, investigate the government's witnesses, interview defense witnesses and gather as much detail as I can. In the end I investigate the law and the facts to build the strongest possible defense. If the defense is strong enough, the goal is to get the other side to give up and dismiss the case.
What happens when we first go to Court?
It is important that you be in Court on time. In State Court when we first go to Court I will read the police reports and get a copy of the charges against you. I will request a copy of the police reports. I will visit with the prosecutor about the case and I will sign on as your lawyer. I will get an overview of the State.s case and I willl reset the case. Afer court, I will meet with you to discuss what I learned and advise you what actions we need to take. The procedure is similiar in Federal Court.
How long will it take to resolve my case?
This is a very common question. There is no simple answer. Some cases are resolved in a relatively short period of time and some cases go on for years. A client should understand that as a general rule the system moves slowly. I believe the more time we have to work on a case, the better. I know clients and their families want the case to go away as soon as possible. I also know that a good result is more important than a quick result.
If I have not been charged with a crime but the police want to talk to me or I think I may be under investigation should I get a lawyer?
I believe anyone who is potentially under criminal investigation should have the benefit of an experienced criminal defense attorney in their corner guiding them. A criminal investigation is critical time for the person who is the subject of the investigation. There are many ways that a person can cause themselves to be charged with a crime if they are not represented during this stage. Also,, a good criminal defense lawyer may be able to keep a person who is under investigation from being charged. The serious consequences of a ciminal investigation should never be underestimated.