Criminal Defense First Client Interview Topics Checklist
Prepares your first client interview from the charging document and the reports in hand. Topics are grouped by subject with neutral open-ended questions, documents and contacts to request, and matters you must explain yourself, with every answer box left empty.
The Prompt
Variables (6)
| Variable | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| {{client_name}} | Client Name | Andre Whitaker |
| {{interview_setting}} | Interview Setting | In custody |
| {{interview_instructions}} | Interview Instructions | We have 45 minutes at the jail. Prioritize release issues. |
| {{charging_document}} | Charging Document | Complaint filed Oct. 1, 2026: Count 1, assault; Count 2, criminal mischief; alleged date Sept. 27, 2026, 1100 Pine Street. |
| {{reports_in_hand}} | Reports in Hand | Police report p. 1: "Complainant states the defendant struck him at about 11:40 p.m." |
| {{file_documents}} | Documents and Contacts in File | Bail order; no contact details for family yet. |
Expected Output
A checklist with: conflicts between sources; topics grouped by subject with empty answer lines; documents and contacts to ask for; matters the attorney must explain personally; unsupported statements declined; declined requests; missing information; verification list.
Usage Notes
Use it before a first or early client meeting. Paste the charging document and the reports you have, and say whether the client is in custody. Failure mode to watch: a question that presents an allegation as fact or suggests an answer, or an item that states law or a likely outcome. Questions should refer to allegations as the document words them. Treat the completed checklist as privileged work product. Not legal advice. The attorney remains responsible for verifying every fact, figure and authority before use.
Originally featured in: Prompt Engineering for Lawyers: The Complete 2026 Guide
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