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After an arrest and being charged with a crime, where do you go from there? It’s understandable to feel frustrated and confused, especially if this is your first involvement with the criminal justice system. What you need most at this time is reliable, honest advice from professionals well versed in local criminal law; you need help from a criminal defense attorney in Central Illinois like Brave Law Center, P.C.

Once you secure a reservation with our attorneys to discuss your case in detail, it’s important to be ready for this first meeting. By providing certain information upfront, our attorneys can better understand your case and plan the best course of action to reach a positive resolution. So, before you meet with Brave Law Center, P.C., here are some of what you should do and prepare beforehand.

Gather All Documents Related to Your Case

To get started, you will have likely been given (or have access to) multiple documents that will prove essential for your case. Make sure you have the standard documents for identification, such as a driver’s license or other form of legal identification. In addition to this, here are some examples of other documents you and your attorney will need to proceed:

• Bail Papers
• Charging Documents
• Evidence of Compliance
• Police Reports
• Communication from the Prosecution
• Financial Records (If Applicable)
• Hospital Reports (If Applicable)
• Any Correspondence with Law Enforcement

Create a Detailed Account of Events

If you are just coming off an arrest, it’s important to note any and all details of your case while they are still fresh in your mind. We recommend creating a written narrative of events surrounding your arrest to the best of your recollection. Include important information like dates, times, locations, descriptions of people present, descriptions of the scene, descriptions of related items (vehicle descriptions, room details, weapon types, etc.), and anything you think is important for an attorney to know about your case. By being as specific and detailed as possible, we can create a complete picture of the event to help investigate.

Create a List of Witnesses

While you might mention some witnesses in your recounting of events, preparing a separate list of witnesses can prove essential. Witness testimony can be great for your case, especially if you know of or can find witnesses to corroborate your story, confirm your alibi, or provide additional context to the events surrounding your arrest and charging. However, don’t include only witnesses that are beneficial to your case. If you believe some witnesses possess testimony or evidence unfavorable to your case, we want to know what to expect.

Prepare Questions for Your Attorney

The first meeting with your attorney is also the time to ask any questions you have about your case, the legal process, expected timeframes, etc. And feel free to prepare all the questions you like! We expect our clients or potential clients to have many questions about the process, as it can be unfamiliar territory for most! However, if you’re not sure what to ask, here are some examples of questions we get regularly from our clients:

• What are the charges against me, and what do they entail?
• Based on your experience, what potential penalties am I facing?
• How do you plan to defend me against these charges?
• What are the possible outcomes of my case, including best-case and worst-case scenarios?
• How long do you anticipate the legal process will take for my case?
• Will you handle my case personally, or will other team members be involved?
• What are my options for pleading, and what are the consequences of each?
• How often will we communicate about my case, and in what form will communication occur?
• What are your fees, and how are they structured? Are there any other expenses I should anticipate?
• Is there anything I should do or avoid doing to help my case?
• Can you provide references from past clients who have faced similar charges?

Stay Out of Trouble!

It might seem obvious, but it’s still something we remind those wishing to pursue their case with the support of Brave Law Center, P.C. The last thing you want to do is get yourself in further legal trouble before even reaching trial. Worse yet, you might undermine ongoing litigation with actions you take or statements you make. One common mistake we see many criminal defendants make is posting about their cases on social media. DON’T DO THIS! Anything you say and post online can be used as direct statements against you in court. Even if you don’t incriminate yourself in your social posting, prosecutors can twist your words and pick apart your defense.

Request Your Reservation Today!

Your preparation for your reservation with Brave Law Center, P.C. will allow us to provide the support and consultation you require most. Our goal is to help you reach the best possible outcome for your case, and being well-organized right from the start helps us achieve this goal! To learn more about the criminal defense team at Brave Law Center, P.C., or to request a reservation, contact us at 309-431-1686.