A DUI charge is a serious offense and penalties can have a significant impact on your personal and professional life. If you are facing a DUI charge it is important that you take the matter seriously and consult an experienced DUI attorney who can represent your best interests. It may come as no surprise to you that there are numerous DUI attorneys to choose from in your area, but finding the best attorney for your case may not be as easy as you think. We are going to walk you through some important tips to consider when selecting a legal representative.
Referrals
With a lot of professional practices we typically ask friends and family for referrals, whether it’s a doctor, dentist, insurance company and so on. A referral from a trusted source is generally a good place to start when looking for professional representation. When selecting a DUI attorney you should consider referrals and attorney reviews to assist you in your selection. This will allow you to find out more information about the attorney you are considering before you make any decisions.
DUI Case Experience
Experience is one of the most important factors in selecting a DUI attorney. DUI cases are highly technical matters and an attorney who has defended many of these cases will have more experience. An attorney experienced in California DUI laws that knows how to apply them in court will work to your advantage.
Beware of Promotions
Many attorneys and former prosecutors use techniques such as low prices and previous prosecution experience to instill confidence and attract business. A former prosecutor may claim that they have exceptional experience in defending DUI cases when in reality many of these former prosecutors spent their careers outside of the field working closely with the police department prosecuting defendants like you. Only a skilled DUI attorney has been trained and spent their career challenging DUI cases. This is not meant to imply that these attorneys are all falsely advertising, the point is you must question an attorney as to how much time they have actually spent defending individuals in DUI cases.
Local Knowledge
Local knowledge is a must. You should typically avoid hiring an attorney that practices outside the region of your DUI case. You want a DUI attorney who has extensive experience in the court system where your case is being handled. This may help put you in a more favorable position when it comes to the results of your case.
Meet Your Attorney
You don’t want to be represented by a case manager or an attorney who is new to the practice with little experience in DUI cases. Always make sure that you are able to meet with the actual DUI attorney who will be representing you in court during your case. If a law firm is unwilling to allow you to meet with your DUI attorney directly, they are not the right firm for you.
Beware of False Promises
Similar to the promotions discussed above, beware of false promises made by DUI attorneys. It is important to understand that in a DUI case a dismissal or reduction of charges may not always be possible. Do not allow an attorney to make false claims about your case, many attorneys know you are in a vulnerable position and toss words around to make you feel more positive about the situation with the intent that you will hire them. Make sure your DUI attorney is not just telling you what you want to hear. You want an experienced DUI attorney who can assess the situation and provide you with honest feedback regarding the possibilities in your case.
What do You Want?
While a DUI attorney is trying to sell you on their services they may not take the opportunity to ask you what you are hoping to get out of the case, and what your expectations are. Make it clear to your attorney what your thoughts are and make sure your attorney is willing to listen and understand your position. You want a DUI attorney who is realistic and honest with you.
Dealing with the DMV
In addition to the DUI criminal court case, there is the DMV case, also known as the Administrative Per Se hearing. The DMV case focuses on whether or not your license is going to be suspended. It is important that in addition to the criminal court case your DUI attorney is experienced in defending DMV cases as well. This can play a huge factor in your driving privileges moving forward.
Did the Attorney Answer All of Your Questions?
An experienced DUI attorney should be able to answer all of your questions effectively. These answers should be clearly understandable to you and it should always be a priority that you make sure you are receiving the information you need. If a DUI attorney is not giving you clear and concise answers, they may not have the experience to represent you properly.
Don’t Go Low Budget
Penalties for a DUI can be extremely expensive; you owe it to yourself to select the best DUI attorney to represent you in court. Your freedom and ability to drive may be on the line. You do not want to go low budget when hiring a DUI attorney. Prices for DUI attorneys vary greatly, if a DUI attorney is charging a very cheap fee you should question the quality of the work you will be receiving. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for.
If you have further questions regarding the selection of a DUI attorney please contact our office today at (559) 222-5800 to schedule your free initial consultation.