Do I have an active warrant?
Most counties have a court system webpage that details a cause number, next court date, and details about bond information. However, most if not all counties will not tell you if you have a warrant for your arrest. The reason for this, of course, law enforcement doesn’t want to tip you off that they will be looking for you at your home, place of employment, and family residences. A good defense attorney who has been around the block should know someone on the inside that can tell them if you have a warrant and what is it for. Follow this link to the Bexar County and District Clerk’s Record Search to find a person arrested in Bexar County.
How many of these type of cases have you taken to jury trial?
This question will weed out the less experienced attorneys that just plea cases. There are attorneys, I hate to say, that are deathly afraid of trial and will try and convince you to plea even if your case is good. If they cannot give you a straight answer, or deflect the question, you need to seek help elsewhere.
How much is this going to cost?
That is a simple upfront question that deserves an upfront answer. Clarissa Fernandez Pratt, Attorney at Law charges a flat rate for pre-trial and all pre-trial matters, and an hourly rate if the matter goes to a jury trial.
What can I do to help?
The answer should be, start gathering evidence on your phone, social media evidence, back up all photos, gather alibi names and witnesses, and start taking going to AA or NA if the case involved alcohol or narcotics. Take an anger management class if the case involved domestic violence. Get a calendar and check your email from the law office regularly. Most importantly, STAY OUT OF TROUBLE. Which leads me to my next question.
What are my pretrial bond conditions?
Your attorney should be able to locate in your discovery what your conditions of bond are.
When is my next Court date?
This is a very important question and needs to be addressed every time you confer with your lawyer. If you fail to show up to court a warrant will be issued for your arrest.
What is the current plea offer?
You should always be aware of what the plea offer is from the State and whether there is an expiration date. I have seen too many defense attorneys forget to tell their client that they need to accept the deal within 30 days or it will be rescinded and they will start adding years to the offer.
Call Clarissa Fernandez Pratt, Attorney at Law at 210-920-2535 for a free consultation, no obligation phone call with a lawyer.