Almost every part of our society has been affected by the virus; movies, theaters, restaurants, sports, haircuts, etc. One should not be surprised to hear that criminal courts have had to adapt to the virus. Thankfully, that doesn’t mean that things have stopped for  cases. For all it’s worth, one can still talk with their criminal defense lawyer in this age of coronavirus, through a variety of methods.

Consulting Off-Site
One of the consequences of the pandemic is the need to keep people at home to avoid the spread of infection. The result included the closure of several shops and the holding off on sending workers to do their jobs. With most employees and workers now working from home, self-employed professionals like defense lawyers are following suit.

Clients these days can keep in touch with clients through a variety of online resources, including email correspondence and social media (provided the proper social media channels are used or agreed upon by both client and lawyer). These days, there are also new apps that allow more efficient meetings online. Such technologies, such as Skype and Zoom, have been used extensively in other fields and can help clients get more in-touch with their attorneys.

Know what to Ask, and How
Communication is a two-way process that needs clear paths in order to be effective. It becomes more critical in times like this, when movement is limited and people can’t meet with each other. Maintaining communication with your lawyer is your only way of getting an acquittal for your DUI or domestic violence charge, after all.

Keeping in Touch
On the other hand, attorneys have a duty to stay updated on the status of their clients, even in situations like these. In times like these when a final verdict for their case is delayed not just by the bureaucratic machine but also by a major national emergency, it helps reassure clients that their lawyers are still out there and looking out for them.

Lawyers are expected to maintain constructive communication with clients even in times of high risk. The well-being of the client and his or her case is of high priority, after all. Additionally, lawyers should inform their clients about how the current situation with the pandemic will affect their legal prospects. Not only will they have to explain the delays (if their case is minor), they will also explain if the pandemic lockdown will have other pertaining effects on how their case will proceed.

Know what to Ask, and How
Communication is a two-way process that needs clear paths in order to be effective. It becomes more critical in times like this, when movement is limited and people can’t meet with each other.

At this point, the client should have an idea of what things they need to know about their situation now that most of the courts are scaling back services to prevent the spread of infection. Keep abreast of news in general and legal news in particular, and list down things that are relevant to the case. Letting the lawyer know about concerns that are directly related to the client and the pandemic situation will make the communication flow smoother.

The pandemic should not be a hindrance for the lawyer and the client in order for them to deal with the charges effectively. Effective, knowledgeable and secure use of modern communication tools can go a long way to having a uniform lawyer-client relationship even in times of emergency.

Alexander Truluck focuses his practice as a criminal defense attorney in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, Dunedin and the Tampa Bay area.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.criminallawyerclearwaterflorida.com
or call (727) 799-3550.

The world is a different place since the virus hit. Gone are concerts and going to bars and many facets of our daily life. The virus has drastically affected the court system with the majority of hearings being held online in one format or another. If you are required to be at a hearing, you may get an invitation to attend on-line, complete with date and time and login instructions.

Even though the hearing is on line, you should follow some common sense guidelines.

Arrive on time – Just like attending a court hearing in person, there are specific calendar appointments and tightly scheduled cases. This means it’s imperative that you arrive on time so that no one is held back and everything runs smoothly. Be prepared to log on at least five to ten minutes before your scheduled time to make sure you have no connection issues.

Dress appropriately – You may be in the comfort of your own home, but that doesn’t mean you can skip getting dressed and looking presentable. How you present yourself says a lot in a courtroom, and the judge will call you out if you aren’t dressed appropriately.

Mute your microphone, but remain on camera – Similar to a regular hearing, there are several cases scheduled for the same time slot and the judge will call each one upon their turn. While you are waiting to be called, it’s important to keep your microphone on mute as to not disturb the other listeners. The bailiff and judge’s assistant are taking attendance notes. Making sure your name is correctly displayed and you are available on camera allows for this to be an easier process.

Be prepared to answer questions – Even though the setting is different, the process is still the same. When the judge calls for your case, be ready with all necessary materials and paperwork needed to answer the questions that the judge may have for you pertaining to your case. If you have retained an attorney, they will also be present via computer from their location and can handle answering on your behalf.

Alexander Truluck focuses his practice as a criminal defense attorney in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, Dunedin and the Tampa Bay area.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.criminallawyerclearwaterflorida.com
or call (727) 799-3550.