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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I hire an attorney?
It is best to hire an attorney as soon as you are aware you are facing criminal charges. Often you are notified that you may be facing charges before they are actually filed. In many instances, law enforcement wants to try to speak with you before obtaining an arrest warrant. (See Section on the Pre-File or Investigative stage of a case.) Also, you may be served with a warrant to search your residence. This is a crucial stage in your case, and it is important that you at least speak with an attorney to understand your rights.
If you do not have the benefit of early warning and you are simply arrested, it is even more important that you hire counsel immediately! Even before you attempt to post bail, your lawyer can be helpful. Your attorney can gain initial information about your case, inform you of your rights and help get your bail lowered, or in some cases, eliminated entirely.
You will typically not be able to speak to a Public Defender until your first court appearance, which may be days after your arrest. Meeting your Public Defender on the day of your first appearance affords little time to discuss your case or court procedures with him or her.
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