What to Bring to Your First Attorney Consultation

Heading into your first meeting with a defense attorney? Here's a practical, general checklist of documents, notes, and questions to bring.

A first consultation goes more smoothly when you come prepared. Here's a general, practical checklist — not every item will apply to every case, so treat this as a starting point.

Documents to gather, if you have them

• Any paperwork from your arrest or citation, such as a police report or citation copy
• Court paperwork, including notices of your next court date
• Bail or release paperwork, if applicable
• Contact information for any witnesses, if relevant
• Any correspondence you've received related to the case
• A photo ID
• Insurance information, if relevant to the case (for example, in some DUI or property-related matters)

Notes worth writing down beforehand

• A timeline of events as you remember them, written while details are still fresh
• Names of anyone present or involved, if known
• Any questions or concerns you want to make sure you raise

Questions worth asking during the consultation

• How do you typically approach a case like mine?
• What are the general next steps in my case?
• How are your fees structured, and what's included?
• How will we communicate as the case moves forward?
• What should I avoid doing while the case is pending?

A note on honesty

It's generally best to be fully honest with your attorney — conversations with your own attorney are typically protected, and having the full picture helps them represent you effectively.

Helpful resources

Frequently asked

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