Driving under the influence is illegal in all U.S 50 states. As a result, DUI trial proceedings are handled in criminal court, and you have the right to be represented by an attorney.
Those facing DUI charges must choose to be defended by hiring a DUI attorney to represent them.
Finding a DUI lawyer is essential if you have been accused of driving under the influence of alcohol. And while it is critical to engage an attorney as fast as possible, choosing the right lawyer may give you the best results.
A first-time offender who has never been convicted of DWI or DUI may face challenges selecting the best attorney for their case. Ensure to research a list of lawyers before deciding who would best represen/t you.
It may be challenging to know what to look for in a professional when hiring an attorney. Here are a few pointers to assist you in searching for a reputable DUI lawyer.
Search Local Dui Attorneys
Research is one of the first stages in selecting a reputable DUI lawyer for your case. There are several methods involved when searching for DUI/DWI attorneys.
You may begin by doing some online and social media research by going through clients’ reviews to check if they are positive or negative. Have clients given their opinions on the lawyer, and if so, are they favorable? There’s no guarantee that your case will be successful if you choose the wrong counsel.
If you can’t find the information you’re looking for on the internet or via social media, ask around within your social circle. If you have a friend or family member who is a lawyer, they may be able to point you in the right or wrong direction when it comes to hiring a lawyer for your case.
You Should Compile a List of DUI Attorneys to Contact
Next, you’ll need to compile a list of potential DUI lawyers in your region and contact them. To keep track of all the lawyers, you may create an excel spreadsheet to track when the lawyer returns your call or email, record any talks or interactions you have had with them, and any specific information you learn about them.
Check to See Whether You’re Attorney Has Experience with DUI Cases before Hiring Them
Lawyers are not similar, and there is a never-ending variety of attorneys, so you have options. Some are general practitioners who handle various situations and have seen it all before.
One of the options would be attorneys that focus on criminal law. Criminal defense attorneys solely work on cases involving the law while other attorneys have their areas of expertise.
In addition, some criminal defense attorneys specialize in other areas of law within the criminal justice system. You can hire criminal defense attorneys specializing in a certain kind of offense, such as negligent driving or drunk driving.
These attorneys spend the bulk of their time on these kinds of cases. They are the “brain surgeons” of the legal profession since they are more knowledgeable in their particular practice area than most other attorneys.
So, you can see that seeing a general practitioner rather than a DUI expert would result in quite different outcomes. In addition, the DUI Specialist’s breadth and depth of education and experience are unmatched by a general practitioner.
Hire A DUI Lawyer and Set Up an Initial Consultation
Contacting lawyers and setting up first appointments are the next steps in choosing an excellent DUI lawyer for your case.
Some DUI attorneys may offer free consultations, while others may demand you to pay a charge for the first meeting with them. To be sure, visiting a DUI lawyer in person is time-consuming and requires a lot of driving, but it is essential in the selection process.
A face-to-face meeting lets you get a sense of how the attorney works, how well you get along with them, and whether you feel like you’re a good match.
Bring all of your papers to these sessions so that your lawyer knows what exactly you’re talking about. Ensure to make a list of questions you want to ask ahead of time and bring them with you to the meeting.
As a prospective client, inquire about the number of DUI jury cases she has handled, how long she has been practicing law, and how many guilty vs. not-guilty judgments she has received.
