Find a criminal lawyer.
With an overview, from the start.

Is a lawyer required in a criminal case?

In many criminal cases against adults you can defend yourself. A lawyer may be necessary to assess the file, your legal position and the consequences of a statement or decision. Additional rules regarding legal assistance apply to minors, in the event of deprivation of liberty and in specific procedures.

In criminal cassation a lawyer is required for the further procedure and cassation writings. Therefore, always have the specific procedure assessed. Having a lawyer does not mean whether you should come to the hearing yourself; read the summons and rules about attendance.

A good first conversation provides clarity.

A criminal lawyer does not have to promise you a good outcome at the first meeting. You benefit more from someone who asks questions, wants to see the documents and explains the uncertainties. A case is not only about the suspicion, but also about the phase of the investigation and what decision must now be made.

Ask who will handle your case, how you will keep in touch and what is expected of you for an interrogation or hearing. If you have little time due to an impending criminal hearing or a possible appeal period, mention this immediately.

Which work is included in the price?

An hourly rate does not tell you how much preparation is needed. Ask for an estimate of the initial work, possible follow-up costs and the moment at which you will be notified of a change. With a fixed price, the demarcation is important: which interrogation, which hearing or which phase is included?

Have it explained whether amounts include VAT, what additional costs may arise and how advances are settled. Compare offices with the same request for help and documents. A lower initial price does not help much if it is later unclear whether file discussion, correspondence or attendance at the hearing was included.

• Ask who is actually handling the case and whether preparation time is included.
• Distinguish between hourly rate, fixed price and subsidized assistance.
• When making an addition, ask what work is being requested and what costs remain.
• Agree when you will receive a cost update and who will discuss additional work in advance.

The pro-deo conditions depend on the scheme and your situation. A possible personal contribution is different from a commercial hours declaration. Include the financing in the order confirmation, so that an introduction does not lead to an unclear payment agreement.

Take the correct pieces with you.

An invitation for questioning, a summons or a ruling often tells a lawyer more than a long reconstruction from memory. Gather the documents you already have, write down important dates and write down your questions. Only share sensitive file documents via the secure route that you agree with the lawyer.

In addition, create a short timeline: when did you receive a message, what has already happened and what appointment will follow? Also report contact with another lawyer beforehand. If you have a criminal file, write down the questions with page numbers. If the file is not yet available, please tell us what you have already requested and what answer you received.

You do not have to assess evidence in advance or know all legal concepts. Keep existing messages and documents unchanged and have what is relevant explained. For a first request, only send the necessary information. For a complete file transfer, request the agreed safe shipping route.

Would you first like to understand how the costs are built up? Read our detailed explanation about the costs of a criminal lawyer. More information about the process steps can be found in from research to ruling.

End the first conversation with a clear agreement.

Ask what the lawyer sees as the next step and who should do something about it. Will the office request the file, will a hearing be prepared or will an available date need to be confirmed first? Also record who your contact person is and how you will be informed about new documents or a decision.

If you are unsure whether the office has the right experience or space, ask explicitly. An entry in the register is not a promise of availability for your business. A careful initial conversation may also reveal that other expertise is required. A concrete explanation is more useful than a prediction about acquittal or punishment.

Agreements also remain important when transferring and completing.

If you want to change lawyers, first have the new practitioner confirm that he can take over. Agree who will monitor deadlines, transfer the file and change any additions. You will find the practical checkpoints on the page change lawyers. The switch does not automatically move a hearing.

After the last decision, ask how the assignment will be completed. Under certain conditions, a separate request for reimbursement of attorney's fees may be possible after acquittal or other appropriate termination. That doesn't happen automatically. Let it be determined which term applies and who prepares the request.