Someone who has never been to court before needs a lot of guidance from their attorney to make a good impression and avoid serious mistakes. Your lawyer can explain the law to you and help you understand what’s at risk during your civil case or criminal trial. They can also help you plan a strategy for success.
Unfortunately, not all lawyers do an adequate job of representing their clients. For example, they might fail to prepare their clients for court.
How can an attorney help you prepare for your trial or hearing?
One of the most important ways a lawyer can help someone prepare for court is by helping you practice your testimony and preparing for likely questions. Discussing what is important to say and not say in the courtroom can help you avoid mistakes while testifying.
Your attorney should also talk to you about the way that you present yourself to the judge and jury. Teaching you about the basic etiquette in the courtroom, such as referring to a judge as “your honor” and helping you find the right clothing are all part of preparing you for court.
If your lawyer doesn’t talk to you about your testimony, doesn’t provide you with guidance about how to behave in court and doesn’t help you put your best foot forward, they may have provided you with inadequate counsel and contributed to your loss or conviction.
Learning how about what an attorney should do for a client can help you identify whether or not you have been the victim of legal malpractice.