What steps are involved in setting up Chatref for a criminal defense practice?

Chatref answers questions directly from your own documents - no internet searching, no made-up answers. Before you log in, pull together the core content that defines your criminal defense practice:

• Practice area descriptions (DUI, drug crimes, assault, white-collar, etc.)
• Client intake forms and questionnaires
• Bail and bond procedure guides
• Court process timelines and FAQ pages
• Fee schedule explanations and payment policies
• Any existing client-facing guides or blog posts

Chatref accepts PDFs, URLs, sitemaps, and plain text. The more thorough your source material, the more precise the AI agent’s responses.

Head to app.chatref.ai and create your account (no credit card required - you’ll get $50 in free credit instantly). Inside the dashboard, create a new agent - every account supports unlimited agents at no extra cost.

1. Name your agent (e.g., “Criminal Defense Assistant”).
2. Upload your PDFs, drop in your website URLs or sitemap, and paste any additional plain-text docs.
3. Chatref automatically trains your agent on this content. The knowledge base is grounded strictly in your materials, so responses stay on-brand and legally accurate without hallucination.

You can test the agent immediately in the live playground and fine-tune its replies. The free $50 credit lets you simulate dozens of conversations before going public.

Chatref’s customization feature lets you match the widget to your firm’s branding. In the agent settings:

• Set a custom agent name and greeting that reflects your practice’s tone.
• Pick a primary color that mirrors your logo and website palette.
• Adjust the welcome message to guide visitors (e.g., “Ask me about DUI defense in [Your County]”).

Branding controls are included on every account - no hidden upgrade fees, no per-feature paywalls. The widget will look like a native part of your site.

Copy the embed snippet from the Chatref dashboard and paste it into your website’s header or footer (works with WordPress, Squarespace, custom HTML, etc.). The widget appears instantly on all pages where the snippet is loaded.

Before going wide, use the live playground to run real client-scenario questions:

• “What’s the process after a DUI arrest?”
• “How much does a defense attorney cost?”
• “Can you get a bail reduction?”

Review the grounded answers, then check the conversation inbox to see how the agent interacted. Any conversation can be tagged for insights. Chatref also captures lead details inside the chat, so prospective clients can leave contact information without leaving the page.

Once you’re confident, your criminal defense practice is live with an AI agent that learns from your own expertise.

How long does it take to set up Chatref?
Once you’ve gathered your documents and web links, uploading and configuring the agent takes 15-30 minutes. Embedding the widget on your site is instant. Because new accounts get $50 free credit with no credit card required, you can start building and testing immediately with zero upfront cost.

What content is needed for Chatref to function effectively?
Upload your criminal defense FAQ pages, intake forms, practice area summaries, bail guides, and any client-facing resources. You can also point Chatref at your website URL or sitemap, and it will ingest the relevant pages automatically. The broader and more accurate your content, the better your AI agent will handle inquiries - but even a handful of solid documents will get you started right away.

Can Chatref be customized to match our practice’s branding?
Yes. Every account includes full customization of the widget’s primary color, agent name, and welcome message, allowing you to align the chat experience with your firm’s visual identity. There are no extra fees for branding - it’s built in, just like unlimited agents and lead capture.