As stated in the action steps, e-mail corresponE-MAIL TIps dence is the best way to initiate a relationship with an attorney. Below is a sample e-mail of a situation that frequently comes up. A person knows they are charged, they have an attorney, but has not communicated with him or her so has no idea as to the scope of the charges or the plan of action for the defense. The email below was drafted by a young man with the aid of another ACJP mother who went through a similar process with her son.
From: Marcos DeBug fender To: Assigned Public De : 9.22.80) OB (D Subject: Your Client To Mr. Attorney,
, which is very ncerned with my case th, and I have co am I e us ca be u Hello, I am writing yo court date on April 27 ted a number I have an upcoming ow kn u yo se. I have lis As . us rio se you to discuss my ca th wi t ee m tion for you to ce an ace under each ques not had the ch sp t lef ve ha I u. yo r ve fo before the next of questions that I ha uld also like to meet with you at a date wo I eparing a background to provide answers. ore detail. I am also pr m in se ca y m ss cu court date to dis nse of who I am. you have a better se packet on myself so TIPS e • Write “Your Client,” and identifying information like name, 1) What exactly are th and case number, or date of birth in the subject line. charges I am facing, g • If urgent, like you have court late that week, indicate so in the cin en nt what is the se e subject line. th is t ha W ? they carry n- • If this is a second email, because you did not get a response se ble ssi po um im max in a timely manner the first time, indicate that as well in the ed ict nv tence if I was co subject line, using such language as: “Second Request”. ? es on all charg • After the first email, if there has not been a response, cc (carbon copy) the supervisor. 2) What is the status • You can also cc the supervisor if the communication is not as productive as you would have liked. of my case? Will I be • In the body of the e-mail, give each question a number and asked to plea at the space for response for each one. This allows for the specificity next court hearing? in reply that you may need to have a clear undertanding of the case. 3) What is the pur• Be timely with your emails (meaning don’t wait until the day t ur co xt ne pose of my before court to send an email.) )? th 27 il pr date (A • Keep the communications going on the same e-mail string, so the previous correspondence is included. on ati 4) What investig y has been done for m If so, ned an investigator? sig as u yo ve case? Ha what is their name? time available When is the earliest . et ck pa r ve co dis y of m 5) I would like a copy ? py co a t ge to for me go over my case? t for you to meet to ien en nv co is e tim d 6) What day an h, Thank you very muc g Bu De s rco Ma
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