DOUGLAS A. FUNKHOUSER CO., L.P.A.
ATTORNEY AT LAW
729 SOUTH THIRD STREET COLUMBUS, OHIO 43206-1027 TELEPHONE (614) 443-5404 FACSIMILE (614) 443-5408 FUNKHOUSERLAW.COM
Questions to ask before hiring a criminal defense attorney
1. What is their experience in the courtroom: You should ask your potential attorney how often they are in court handling criminal matters. There is no substitute for actual experience in the courtroom with criminal or DUI cases. While many attorneys have natural abilities, they still need to gain practical experience operating inside a courtroom. 2. What is their trial experience: You should ask your potential attorney when he or she last went to trial before a jury. Too many trial attorneys do not try cases to a jury. A trial attorney that does not go to trial is like a pro athlete who practices but never plays in the game. 3. What is their experience with the criminal justice system: You should ask your potential attorney how often they are in the court system for your case. Each level of the criminal justice system works differently. State and municipal courts operate differently and have different rules than the Federal court system. An attorney with experience in your court system can operate more effectively for your case. 4. What is their experience with your specific charge or type of case: You should ask your potential attorney if he or she has actually handled your type of case before and if they tried that type of case to a jury. Also, ask them why the case went to trial and what they expect to do in your case. 5. What are the attorney fees: You and your potential lawyer should talk in the beginning about potential fees for your case. You should leave their office knowing how much you will be charged and for what services. Written fee agreements are not necessary in Ohio, but should be used to avoid confusion or disagreements about the costs. You may review my experience for comparison on my firm website at http://www.funkhouserlaw.com/case-history.cfm/. You may also check my website blog for recent DUI and Criminal cases at http://funkhouserlaw.blogspot.com/. I would be happy to answer any questions sent to doug@funkhouserlaw.com.