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AI receptionist for criminal defense attorneys
For defense lawyers whose phone rings at 2 am because someone's son was just arrested.
A mother is calling from a county jail lobby. She knows her son's name and booking time and little else. Tactly answers, gets what she knows on record, and flags it urgent for your on-call attorney.
- TactlyOkafor Defense Group. I'm the firm's virtual assistant, and this call may be recorded. How can I help?
- CallerMy name is Renee. My brother Tyler was arrested a couple of hours ago. He's at the county jail.
- TactlyI'm sorry, Renee. I'll get this to an attorney now. Do you know the charge or a court date?
- CallerThey said possession. Court is Monday morning, I think.
- TactlyThank you. I can't give legal advice, but I've marked this urgent with your number and Tyler's details.
- Message for the office: URGENT arrest, Tyler, county jail, court Mon am
- Call summary emailed to oncall@okafordefense.com
Can an AI receptionist work for criminal defense attorneys?
Tactly is an AI receptionist for criminal defense attorneys. It answers arrest and charge calls around the clock, often from a family member, and records who was arrested, where they are held, the charge if known and any court date. During your set hours it can transfer to a named on-call attorney number; otherwise it takes an urgent message. It never gives legal advice or discusses a case.
The problem
Missed calls are missed work.
Arrests happen at night and on weekends, and the people calling are usually relatives with a short window before arraignment or a bail decision. They will call every defense number they can find. If yours goes to voicemail, the family moves on to the next name.
These callers are frightened and often unsure of details. What they do know, the facility, the booking number, the next court date, matters to whoever picks up the file in the morning. Tactly asks for each item in turn and sends the attorney a summary and transcript the moment the call ends.
Calls it handles
The calls criminal defense attorneys get every day.
A family member after an arrest
Tactly takes the arrested person's name, the facility, the charge if known and the caller's number, and marks the message urgent.
Upcoming court dates
When someone mentions a hearing or arraignment date, Tactly writes it at the top of the summary so it is not missed.
Reaching the on-call lawyer
During the hours you set, Tactly can transfer to a named number such as On-Call Attorney, with a note on when to use it.
Questions about charges
Asked what a charge means or what to say to police, Tactly explains it cannot give legal advice and gets an attorney to follow up.
Setup tips
What to put in your notes.
Tactly answers only from what you tell it. These are the lines that matter most for criminal defense attorneys.
- Add your on-call attorney's number as a named transfer target and write exactly which hours it should be used.
- Write the details you need on every arrest call, such as the facility, booking number and next court date, so Tactly asks for each one.
- List the counties and courts you appear in, so Tactly can tell a caller whether the firm covers that jurisdiction.
Plans for criminal defense attorneys
Starter
$49/mo
For a solo owner who mostly needs the missed calls covered.
- 100 AI-answered minutes a month
- Then $0.35 a minute
- Every feature included
- Most popular
Pro
$99/mo
For a busy shop that wants nights, weekends and lunch rushes handled.
- 250 AI-answered minutes a month
- Then $0.29 a minute
- Every feature included
Growth
$199/mo
For a team that sends a large share of its calls to the receptionist.
- 600 AI-answered minutes a month
- Then $0.25 a minute
- Every feature included
FAQ
Questions, answered
Can Tactly reach our on-call attorney after midnight?
Transfers follow the hours you set. If you want the on-call number used overnight, set those hours for it; outside them, Tactly takes an urgent message.
Will it tell a family member what to do about bail?
No. It never gives legal advice. It records the details and has an attorney follow up.
What if the person calling is the one who was arrested?
Tactly takes their details and message the same way, and does not discuss the facts of the case on the call.
Legal
Related industries
Stop sending callers to voicemail.
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