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How To Make Clients Feel Safe In Your Law Office During Their Case Discussion

How To Make Clients Feel Safe In Your Law Office During Their Case Discussion

Representing clients who are going through one of the worst times of their life is a huge responsibility that lawyers take seriously. Yet, it is also common to encounter clients who may be hesitant to talk about their case or who worry that something they say could be used against them. Helping your clients feel safe during their case discussion is as easy as using these strategies to develop a trusting relationship. 

Establish Credibility

After being accused of a crime, it is common for a person to be unsure of who they can trust. Sharing that our team has over 25 years of experience in handling a diverse range of criminal cases that include domestic violence, drug charges, and parole violations helps people to rest assured that they are in competent hands.

Clients also tend to relax when they hear that we are certified in capital murder defense and are capable of practicing before the U.S. Supreme Court. Even if a client’s case isn’t expected to go that far, this information makes it clear that we are fully prepared to practice criminal defense in any court of law. 

Explain Attorney-Client Privilege

Many people enjoy watching popular crime shows, yet some of the high drama scenarios depicted on the screen give people the wrong impression that a lawyer could turn on them at any moment. During an initial case discussion, the best criminal lawyers in Philadelphia take time to explain how attorney-client privilege protects their confidentiality. 

While a lawyer may be obligated to share information about a crime that someone is planning, ones that are already suspected of being committed are protected under this understanding. Taking the time to thoroughly explain how this expectation of privacy works can help even the most reluctant client see that what they say in your office is protected information. 

Encourage Questions

After explaining the essential information about your practice and attorney-client privilege, you’ll want to shift the conversation back to the client. Asking them if they have any things that could cause them to hesitate to tell you the truth gives them a chance to clear the air.

For instance, they might be worried about having private information leaked in a follow-up email, which gives you the chance to discuss your best practices for electronic communication. Or, your client may also worry about having a paralegal hear their discussion, and you can use this question to go over how attorney-client privilege covers other people who work in your office.

 Express Empathy and Compassion

As a final note, lawyers are often depicted as being tense or aggressive in the media, which leads clients to believe that this is how you’ll react in your office as well. Make sure to keep your voice tone low and even, and remember to watch your body language. 

Practicing active listening by nodding your head and leaning slightly towards your client helps them to know they are being heard, and keeping your facial expressions neutral or empathetic helps them to keep sharing without feeling judged. 

Find Support for Your Criminal Case Today

Have you struggled with the prospect of meeting with a lawyer? Reach out to our team to start working with a supportive criminal defense attorney who cares about making sure that you receive strong representation in court.

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