The right lawyer can make all the difference in your criminal case. If you’ve been charged, you need to start meeting potential lawyers. Here’s a list of thoughtful questions to help you find the attorney who’s right for your needs.
What’s Your Experience/Background in Criminal Law?
Find out if you’re hiring a criminal defence counsel in Singapore with extensive experience and training. What cases have they worked on before? Have they defended clients with criminal charges like yours? Look at the previous cases the firm handled to get a sense of their experience and whether they’re the best team to help you.
How Do You Build a Client Case?
Asking about their process helps you understand what they can do for your case. What’s their plan? How will they get started on building a case for you? Will they contact witnesses? Will they ask you to work with an expert witness? Your attorney may ask you to file court motions. Learn more about the processes they will use to build your case. That gives you the confidence that they’re doing everything they can to help you and achieve the best possible outcome.
What are the Possible Penalties?
An excellent lawyer won’t hesitate to tell you what’s going to happen. They provide an honest assessment of your case and your chances. They also explain possible and likely penalties you’ll face if you are convicted. That includes fines, probation, and jail time, depending on the gravity of the charges.
Are There Collateral Consequences?
Some people charged with a crime deal with collateral damage. Once you get a criminal conviction, having that on your record can make it harder for you to find employment. If you’ve been in a driving accident, that could make it harder for you to get your driver’s license back or your driving privileges reinstated. A criminal conviction will also hurt your immigrant status.
