Questions to Ask an Attorney
Provided by the Law Office of Eric J. Dirga, P.A.

• What is your experience in this field?

Eric J. Dirga has been practicing in the Orlando area his entire legal career (11 Years).  He is known by most central Florida judges and attorneys.  He has practiced almost exclusively in the field of criminal law and Criminal Record Expungements.  For more information click on the Profile page.

• Have you handled matters like mine?

Mr. Dirga focuses his criminal practice on Domestic Violence, DUI, Criminal Traffic (Racing, Suspended Licenses), Theft, and Drug Offenses.  He provides legal defense for all criminal offenses except for capital cases.

Mr. Dirga represents individuals seeking an expungement or sealing of a criminal arrest record.  He handles hundreds of these cases yearly.

He also covers civil traffic citations, better known as traffic tickets.

• What are the possible outcomes of my case?

That always depends on the circumstances of the case.  At the consultation Mr. Dirga will explain to you some the possibilities based on his experience.  However, it will not be until further information is obtained as the case progresses that a more definitive answer to this question can be made.  All cases are unique and outcomes can vary.  This is true for all cases.

• What are my alternatives in resolving the matter?

There are always alternative resolutions to every case.  Mr. Dirga will be explain these to you as they become available.  By Rule, all attorneys must keep their clients informed of these alternatives.  The decision as to which resolution the case is to have is always made by the client with an attorney's advice.  Trials are always a possibility and Eric J. Dirga is experienced in trial.

• Approximately how long will it take to resolve?

Criminal cases have definitive time limitations that can be explained.  The expungement and sealing process varies but is usually between 6 to 8 months.

• Do you recommend mediation or arbitration?

In criminal cases there is no "mediation or arbitration" yet, but there are diversion programs and, yes, many times those programs are recommended by this Office.  (It is on a case by case basis).  The Client always makes the final informed decision and an innocent person should not accept anything short of an acquittal or dismissal of all charges.

• What are your rates and how often will you bill me?

The cost of a case depends on many factors.  There are 2 types of expenses when being represented by an attorney.  First is a legal fee.  This is the fee paid to an attorney for his experience, time,  and qualifications.  Then there are "costs."  Money paid to cover the bills generated by the case, e.g., depositions, mediation, etc.  "Costs" are used to pay these bills. 

Criminal cases are structured differently than other cases, such as divorce cases.  Usually a criminal case is a flat fee with a cost deposit and sometimes there is an additional trial fee.  Expungements and sealings have a set fee schedule you can find on this website. 

• What is a ballpark figure for the total bill, including fees and expenses?

This can be asked at the consultation with Mr. Dirga.  In criminal cases the cost and fees vary on a case by case basis regarding the nature of the offense and whether it is a felony or misdemeanor.  When your liberty is at stake it is important that your defense take priority.

• How will you keep me informed of progress?

This Office informs clients by letter, email, and telephone calls of all important issues.  We encourage all our clients to feel free to call or email our Office whenever they have a question regarding their case.

• What kind of approach will you take to resolve the matter - aggressive and unyielding, or will you be more inclined to reach a reasonable settlement?

This depends on the individual case.  A particularly weak case is not conducive to an aggressive stance where a strong case can be approached with a "torched earth" policy.  It is ultimately up to the attorney, with input from the client, as to which of these approaches we will pursue.

• Who else in the office will be working on my case?

Eric J. Dirga works on all cases almost exclusively.  On rare occasions other attorneys may be hired or paralegals may be used but all work in those situations is reviewed by Mr. Dirga.