FAQs

If you have the resources, or the ability to borrow funds, retaining private counsel allows you to choose your attorney and ensures you receive more personalized attention.

If you do not have sufficient funds to pay for counsel, then perhaps you should use the public defender. Note that public defenders are not appointed for protection orders, anti-harassment orders, criminal charges that are under investigation, or child protective services (CPS) investigations.

If you have the resources, or the ability to borrow funds, then you should retain the best counsel possible. A private defense attorney can likely devote more time and resources to your case. Further, you can personally select your attorney as opposed to having a random one with unknown skills and commitment assigned to you.

When choosing an attorney, consider experience, communication, and trust. Ask yourself:

• Do I feel comfortable with this attorney?
• Do I understand the explanations I’m being given about my case?
• Is the attorney taking an appropriate amount of time to answer my questions and strategize with me on my available options?

Strong communication skills are essential. If your attorney communicates well with you, they are more likely to build effective rapport with prosecutors, judges, and juries. Experience is also critical. An attorney who has been practicing for many years has likely handled hundreds, if not thousands, of cases similar to yours and knows how to navigate the system effectively.

After an arrest, the first priority is usually getting your loved one or friend released from custody. Many people turn directly to a bail bondsman for help, but it is often best to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney first. Doing so can have several advantages:

• Posting bail may not be necessary: An attorney can advise you about the severity of the charges. In some cases, the arrested person may be released on their own recognizance at the first court appearance, often the next morning.
• Bail may be less expensive with an attorney: When an attorney is retained, bond companies often reduce insurance costs. This can lower the bond by up to 20% and save you significant money.
• An attorney may negotiate bail: A skilled defense attorney can often negotiate with the prosecutor and judge to reduce the bail amount, making release more affordable.

Yes. Credit cards are accepted and payment arrangements are available when needed. Please call to discuss a plan that works for your situation.

As soon as you speak to an attorney about your case, even if you end up not hiring this particular individual, attorney client privilege takes effect. This means that anything you discuss is confidential and protected. The attorney is not allowed to share your discussion with anyone else, including family, friends, police, prosecutors, or the courts.

Because of this protection, it is important to be completely honest. Accurate information allows your attorney to build the strongest defense and negotiate effectively with the prosecutor or court. Holding back details can weaken your case and limit your options. This is especially important since many cases are resolved through plea bargains rather than trial.

What you consider “evidence” may be different from what the law recognizes in court. Evidence can include photos, physical items, documents, witness testimony, or even the statement of a single person—regardless of their background or credibility.

Even if the evidence is weak or unfair, it is important to have an experienced defense attorney on your side. A skilled lawyer can challenge the prosecution’s case, question the reliability of the evidence, and fight to have charges reduced or dismissed.

The sooner clients reach out, the more opportunities I have to help them avoid jail and protect their future.

If you have already been charged in court, or if a protection order has been filed, then a record already exists. A record is a document or database that contains information. Most court records, including juvenile matters, are public.

The goal is always to work toward the most favorable outcome possible—such as not guilty, charges dismissed, or a case diverted. With the right defense, I can often reduce the long-term impact on your record and help protect your future.