5. The greatest mistake the lawyer can make In a criminal case is not to go with the client to see the pre-sentence officer. No attorney will permit for the client to meet the detective or the district lawyer without the attorney present.
Unfortunately, attorneys often let their clients meet the pre-sentence or probation officer without being present. The clients just are not aware what to do or say and often present false or incomplete information that may lead to unfavorable consequences for the client.
6. Assist your client in preparing the pre-sentence report questionnaire. In state court the judges give the clients copies of the questionnaire that should be taken to the pre-sentence officer. Attorneys usually tell their clients to fill it and take to the pre-sentence officer and help the client in no way.
7. You should never tell the client to come to court at 9:00. it is better to tell him or her to be there at 8:00 as they will certainly be a little bit late. In a number of cases, the clients do not know where the court is located. Besides, the client may not know how long it takes to get to court and where the parking is.
8. If your client should take something to court, tell him or her leave it by the front door so that they won’t forget it in the morning. That is very practical so your client won’t tell you that a very significant document is at home or somewhere else.
9. Recommend your client what he or she shouldn’t wear to court. Improper clothing embraces: flip-flops, too tight or loose clothes, nose, lip, eyebrow rings, etc. If your client has a desire to put on a shirt with a huge marijuana leaf or something like this, tell them that is ok, as in nearly an hour he or she will have an orange jumpsuit on.
10. Tell your client not to take with them cellular phones, pagers, kids and Bibles.
11. Always document your file with respect to your contact with the client. A short pencil is always better than a long memory!
| 
