Law Firm Policy
If you or a loved one have been accused of a criminal offense, you want to locate an attorney who will not only stand by you in court but also address your personal concerns as you address the allegations. Attorney Clinton DeWitt gets it…this is a potentially life-changing situation.
Criminal defense attorney Clinton DeWitt and his staff can help make your experience as anxiety-free as possible. To that end, he lays out clearly defined policies regarding your business relationship, what you can expect while working with him, and how you can contribute to a great outcome for your case. If you ever have any concerns or questions during the time we work with you, please reach out.
Confidentiality
By law, the information you share with Mr. DeWitt and his staff regarding your case is confidential, and it’s written in the hiring contract you sign. This is known as attorney-client privilege, and it means you can safely tell your attorney everything he needs to know to defend you effectively. Like a doctor, your lawyer must know the details of your predicament – privately and from your side – to fully protect you. Your attorney must – and will – defend you without judgment. What you don’t tell him can harm your case. What you do share can only help.
This law also applies to free consultations. Even if you speak to several lawyers before hiring the one of your choices, all of them must keep your information confidential as well. In a legal sense, your privacy is protected. Information from your phone calls, emails, texts, and discussions will never leave our office.
Payment
We welcome your full payment when you hire Mr. DeWitt, but we understand that’s not always possible. For this reason, we frequently offer payment plans and will generally accept an initial down payment when you sign a hiring contract. After that, you’ll make monthly payments until we’re paid in full – ideally, before your case is settled. Please let us know if you’d like to arrange a payment plan. We accept credit cards, checks, and cash.
Our contract is a two-way commitment that holds both parties to expectations. You’ll expect Clinton to represent and advise you about your case as needed, both in and out of the courtroom. At the same time, we expect that you’ll continue with regular monthly payments as defined in our contract. If you’re not able to pay on a certain month, please communicate this to us, and we’ll work with you.
Contact Hours
We accept and return phone calls, emails, and texts as soon as possible; response time is faster during regular business days and hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Whenever we’re not available, our round-the-clock messaging service will ensure that your message reaches us. On nights and weekends, we’ll respond to urgent calls and emails as soon as possible. If you have an emergency that affects your case (i.e., you can’t get to a scheduled court appearance), please note it in your message.
Length Of Time
At the onset of your criminal case, you may wonder how long it will be before the whole thing is over. Our best answer is that it depends on the severity of the charges against you and the complexity of developing a defense to the charges. It can take weeks – often months – and rarely, even years to move a case through the court system It may seem that your case only progresses inside the courtroom, but the true work happens between those monthly-or-so court appearances, as Mr. DeWitt reviews the evidence and works with prosecutors to negotiate your best possible outcome. Generally speaking, delay works in the defense’s favor because it maximizes the amount of time for negotiation and legal maneuvering, but let Clinton know if there is some need to dispose of the case quickly and he can work toward a quicker resolution.
Can We Guarantee A Certain Outcome?
If you’re planning to pay Clinton – or any attorney – a considerable sum to represent you in a criminal matter, you may be wondering if we can guarantee a certain outcome. While we will always work to provide you with the best defense possible, we can’t promise that your case will be dismissed, or the charges dropped, or that you’ll be found “not guilty”. Any lawyer who promises you a certain outcome is not telling you the truth.
We can, however, guarantee the following:
- We won’t judge. You can feel safe sharing the details you think we’ll need to know to represent you best. We protect your information and ensure that it’s only used in your defense.
- We’ll be accessible. We’ll return your phone calls, respond to emails and be available to meet within a reasonable time frame. When you need us, we’ll be there.
- We’ll respond to and address your concerns regarding fairness, legality, admissible evidence, and interrogations. We’ll advise you concerning work and family issues arising from your case.
- We’ll be honest about elements of your case that work in your favor, as well as issues that may be problematic. We’ll work to frame your case in a more positive light.
- We’ll discuss mitigating factors in your case, as well as activities you can engage in (drug/alcohol education courses, pretrial diversion, education programs) to work toward a better outcome.
- We’ll move your case forward in the manner you agree is best – no matter how long it takes. You’re in the driver’s seat, and sometimes you really need and deserve a jury trial. If you want it, you’ll get your day in court.