What to Expect When You Contact Us

Is my call confidential?

Yes. When you contact a lawyer to discuss possible representation, that conversation is treated as confidential — even if you ultimately decide not to hire the firm. The protection that covers communications with a lawyer generally applies to these initial discussions about your situation. You can speak openly about what happened. That confidentiality is one of the reasons it’s safer to talk to a lawyer than to discuss your case with friends, family, or anyone else.

A few practical notes: it’s best to call from a private place, and you should avoid discussing the details of your case over jail phones or recorded lines, in text messages, or on social media — those are not private. Once you’re speaking with a lawyer, you can share the full picture.

What happens when you reach out

• You make contact. Call or send a message through the site. You don’t need to explain everything perfectly — just enough to start.
• We talk about your situation. The first conversation is about understanding what you’re facing: what happened, what stage the case is at, any deadlines or upcoming court dates, and what you’re most worried about.
• You get straight answers. You’ll get an honest read on your situation — what the charge means, what the process looks like, and how representation would work — without pressure and without legalese.
• You decide. There’s no obligation to move forward from a first conversation. The point is to give you clarity so you can make a good decision.

What to have ready (if you have it)

Don’t let this stop you from calling — none of it is required, and you can call with nothing in hand. But if you happen to have these, they help:

• Any paperwork you were given — a citation, a complaint, a summons, or court documents.
• Your next court date, if one is scheduled.
• The county or city where the case is (or where you were stopped or arrested).
• A basic timeline of what happened, as best you remember it.

If you don’t have any of that, call anyway. The most important thing is not to wait, especially if there’s a court date or deadline approaching.

What if I’m not sure I even need a lawyer?

That’s exactly the kind of thing the first conversation is for. People often aren’t sure whether their situation is serious, whether they should say anything to police, or whether they can handle it on their own. It costs nothing to find out where you stand, and getting that clarity early — before decisions get made that are hard to undo — is often the most valuable step.

What if it’s after hours or the weekend?

Criminal situations don’t keep business hours, and neither does the worry that comes with them. Reach out whenever it happens — leave a message or send a note through the site, and you’ll hear back. If you have an urgent court date or someone is in custody, say so, so it can be prioritized.

The bottom line

The first step is the hardest, and it’s also the most important. You don’t need to be ready with the right questions or the right documents. You just need to reach out and start the conversation — privately, without pressure, and without judgment.

This page is provided by Keil Defense for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Contacting the firm does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. To talk through your situation, contact Keil Defense at (651) 315-3097.