Questions to ask any lawyer
- Federal court experience. How often do you appear in federal court, and in this district?
- Trial experience. How many cases have you tried to a jury, and when was the most recent?
- Similar cases. Have you handled cases involving similar charges or agencies?
- Who does the work. Who will appear in court, meet with me and review the evidence?
- Communication. How will you keep me informed, and how quickly do you return calls?
- Fees. How is the fee structured, and what does it cover through trial or sentencing?
Ask who will actually handle your case.
What the CJA panel is
Under the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, each federal district court has a plan to provide counsel for people who cannot afford a lawyer. Private attorneys on a panel designated or approved by the court handle a substantial share of those cases.
Panel service means a lawyer regularly handles federal criminal cases in that court. It is one useful signal of federal experience, among others.
Why trial experience matters even if you plan to resolve the case
Most federal defendants plead guilty rather than go to trial. Even so, a lawyer’s ability to try a case shapes every negotiation, because the government knows whether the defense is prepared to go to verdict.
What a first meeting should cover
A first consultation will not answer every question, but you should leave with a clearer picture. Expect the lawyer to discuss:
- Where things stand. Whether you appear to be a witness, subject, target or defendant, and what that means.
- Immediate risks. Deadlines, interview requests and anything you should avoid doing.
- Options. The realistic paths at this stage, without promises about the outcome.
- Next steps. What the lawyer would do first if hired, and how fees work.
Be wary of any lawyer who guarantees a result. No ethical lawyer can promise how a case will end.
About our team
Jason Kaufman has tried more than 90 cases, is a Criminal Justice Act panel attorney in the Southern District of Florida and works as a jury consultant. Phil Horowitz has practiced criminal defense since 1985 and has served for decades on the CJA panel in the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. Victor E. Rocha was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1983, practices in federal courts including the Eleventh Circuit and the Southern District of Florida, and speaks Spanish.
The first consultation is free and confidential. Call (954) 648-8965.