Consultations
Is a Paid Consultation Right for Me?
If you’re not quite ready to retain an attorney but have pressing legal questions, a one-hour paid consultation may be right for you. You might benefit from a consultation if any of the following apply:
You are, or you might be, under investigation for a crime but haven’t been charged.
You are considering retaining Seattle Defense and want to discuss your case in detail before deciding.
You cannot afford to hire an attorney but need immediate legal guidance.
You’re dissatisfied with your current private attorney and need help deciding whether to move on.
You have a public defender and are considering switching to a private attorney.
Your child has been accused of misconduct by their school.
Your employer has accused you of a crime.
Someone has filed a police report against you and you’re wondering what happens next.
A police officer or federal agent wants to interview you.
Why Isn’t the Consultation Free?
Our consultation fee is $500. King County files criminal charges against roughly 18,000 defendants annually, and many of them contact multiple firms for evaluations. This high call volume could easily consume all of our time if we offered free consultations. We accept a low volume of cases to provide each client with the time and attention their case deserves. Our consultation fee discourages those seeking free second opinions without real intent to retain counsel, allowing us to focus on serious, committed clients.
What Happens to the Consultation Fee if I Hire Seattle Defense?
If you decide to retain Seattle Defense after your consultation, the $500 consultation fee will be credited toward your retainer.
What Happens During a Consultation?
During your consultation, we will:
- Conduct a comprehensive case review.
- Provide legal context and comparisons to similar cases.
- Identify evidentiary issues and perform a risk analysis.
- Help strategize your best course of action.
- Discuss fees for retaining Seattle Defense and any expert witnesses needed.
All discussions are confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege.
How Do I Prepare for My Consultation?
Documents
Gather all relevant documents and submit them by email to info@seattledefense.com before your consultation. If you’re unsure whether a document is important, include it anyway—better safe than sorry.
Pre-Payment
We begin reviewing your case and preparing for the consultation once your payment is received.
Notes
Consultations can feel overwhelming, and clients often forget key details. Prepare notes in advance covering:
- Arrest Details – Date, location, number of officers, questions asked, answers given, and any searches conducted.
- Timeline of Events – Include all significant events before, during, and after the incident.
- Witnesses – Names and contact info for witnesses, including alibi or character witnesses.
- Questions – Write down any questions about your case or the legal process.