Questions to ask a lawyer

How long is this likely to take from today, and what would slow it down?

Timelines depend on the court backlog in your county as much as on your case. Ask for the typical span and the two or three things that most often add months to it.

From: Questions to Ask a Family Lawyer

What assignments exist besides patrol, and how do people move into them?

Detectives, traffic, K9, school liaison and training all have separate routes in, usually gated by tenure and an internal board. Ask which one they would want and what stands in the way.

From: Questions to Ask a Cop About Their Job

Is there anyone who might describe that day differently, and why would they?

Surfaces conflicts and grudges before other interviews do, and gives you the person's own account of why someone else would contradict them.

From: Interrogation Questions to Ask a Suspect

What do you wish you had known before you started?

Save this for last, once they have warmed up. The answers usually concern the emotional weight of client work or the ceiling on advancement, both of which are hard to see from outside.

From: Questions to Ask a Paralegal About Their Job

Is there anything I should not ask about, and why?

Questions that call for speculation, that go to matters ruled inadmissible, or that suggest you have been reasoning ahead of the evidence tend to be excluded. Hearing the categories in advance saves everyone time.

From: Are Jurors Allowed to Ask Questions

How many matters are you carrying at the moment?

A direct question that most lawyers will answer honestly. It tells you whether the person in front of you has room for your file this month or in the autumn.

From: Questions to Ask a Probate Lawyer Before Hiring