Attorney Intake Form: Getting Arrested

If you get arrested, you should seek an attorney experienced in criminal matters. The criminal justice system can be scary and complicated. Once they issue an arrest warrant, law enforcement officers will likely take you to the police station for processing. Soon after, you may face an arraignment where the prosecutor formally presents your criminal charges. There could be violations of your constitutional rights, such as lack of probable cause.

This can be daunting, especially if you're unsure about the intricacies of the legal process. For instance, you may wonder about the difference between entering a guilty plea and a plea of no contest.

How an Attorney Can Help Your Criminal Case

Your attorney is your strongest advocate and can help you challenge the prosecution's evidence. They can argue to drop your charges if there isn't enough evidence. They can also help ensure that misdemeanor records are eligible for expungement later. They may even negotiate with the government to get a plea bargain in your criminal case.

For your attorney to best represent you, they must know all the relevant information about your case and your background. This includes your phone calls after your arrest, your release on your own recognizance, or whether the court set bail.

Also, some information may not seem important but could be vital in your criminal case. An address from five years ago might seem unimportant, but it can become relevant, especially with serious crime charges. For instance, former neighbors might give witness testimony that they saw the weapons used in a crime at your old address.

Understanding the importance of each court appearance is vital. Your lawyer will prepare you for every court date leading up to your trial date. In the event of a trial, proving your innocence beyond a reasonable doubt becomes paramount.

Thankfully, ways to help you convey relevant information to your attorney include filling out an attorney intake form. Getting arrested is frightening, but filling out this form in advance can help make for a smooth meeting with your lawyer.

These forms give you the information you should give your attorney during your first meetings. This includes whether you have a criminal history or if there's an active arrest warrant in your name. Previous criminal history can be relevant to your chances of success at trial. It can also affect your sentence. Factors such as your education and income level also influence a jury's perception of you and the length of your imprisonment.

Sample Attorney Intake Form: Getting Arrested

Full Legal Name: _____________________________________

Date of Birth: _______________________

Race/Nationality: ____________________

Social Security Number: __________________

Address:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Length of Time at that Address: _______ years

Previous Address(es) (for last 10 years): ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Home Telephone Number: ____________________

Work Telephone Number:____________________

Cellphone Number:____________________

E-mail Address: ____________________

Former Name(s): ____________________________

Marital Status: _________________________________

Previous Marriage(s): Yes ____ No ____ Ended By?___________________

Children: Name/Date of Birth/Living at Home?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Education Information

High School Graduate? __________Yes/No

If Yes, School Name: __________________

Year of Graduation/Last Grade Completed ______________

College? _____________Yes/No

If Yes, School Name: __________________Major: _____________________

Year of Graduation ______________

Graduate School? _____________Yes/No

If Yes, School Name: __________________ Degree: ____________________

Year of Graduation ______________

Additional Education History: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Employment Information

Position/Title: __________________________________________________________

Employer: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Employer's Address: ____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Length of Time with Employer: _______ years ________

months

Previous Employer(s) (for last 10 years): ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Gross Monthly Income from Employment: $_________________

Other Income: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Information About Arrest

Date of Arrest: _____________________

Time of Arrest: _____________________

Location of Arrest: __________________

Date of Alleged Crime: _______________

Location of Alleged Crime: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What was the reason or explanation given for your arrest?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Did the police have a warrant? __________________ Yes/No

What crime were you charged with?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Who arrested you (name and badge number of police officer)?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Was anyone else present at the time? _____________Yes/No

If Yes, explain: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Was your property searched at the time of the arrest? ________________Yes/No

If Yes, explain: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Did the police find anything that they kept? _____________Yes/No

If Yes, explain: _________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Were you searched at the time of the arrest? ________________ Yes/No

If Yes, explain: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Did the police find anything that they kept? _____________Yes/No

If Yes, explain: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Were you read your Miranda rights (informing you that you have the right to remain silent, you have the right to an attorney, etc.) at the time of your arrest? _____________Yes/No

If Yes, explain: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Did you give or sign any statements? _______________Yes/No

If Yes, explain: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If Yes, do you feel the statement was voluntarily given?___________________ Yes/No

Explain: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Were you asked to participate in a line-up at any time?_________________________

Were you fingerprinted or photographed at any time?______________________________

At any time before or after your arrest, did you ask to speak to an attorney?_____Yes/No

If Yes, was one provided to you? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What was the name of the attorney you spoke to?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

At any time, were you physically threatened or mentally harassed by the police? __Yes/No

If Yes, explain: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What is your version of the events leading up and causing your arrest?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever been questioned, but not arrested, in connection with a crime?____Yes/No

If Yes, explain: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you have a criminal record? ______________________Yes/No

If Yes, explain: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you have a driver's license? ___________________Yes/No

If Yes, what state issued your license? ____________________

If No, have you ever had a driver's license? ________________

Explain: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you own any automobiles, motorcycles, or other motorized vehicles?_______Yes/No

If Yes, please list all such vehicles: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever owned a firearm? _____________________Yes/No

If Yes, explain: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Are you in good health? ____________________________Yes/No

Explain all current and chronic illnesses, past and future surgeries, and medications you are currently taking, and other relevant health information: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you have a history of alcohol or drug abuse? _____________________Yes/No

If Yes, explain: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever been treated by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health care professional? _______________________Yes/No

If Yes, explain: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Other Important Information: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Questions to Ask My Attorney: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Make sure to attach a copy of the police report, citations, search warrants, etc., if you have them.

Put Your Intake Form To Use: Contact an Attorney Today

Often, when seeking legal advice and meeting with an attorney to discuss your criminal case, it's hard to know what information is relevant. Filling out an attorney intake form ahead of time can help. It can make your meetings with your attorney more focused and productive by allowing them to review the information before talking to you. The intake form offers an organized platform to answer your attorney's questions. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in your area.