Facing charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances is not inconsequential and must not be taken lightly. In such scenarios, it can be incredibly beneficial to have the assistance of an experienced DUI attorney who can help you comprehend the legal terms and charges in ordinary words.
That being said, all defense lawyers are not the same, and you should be careful to hire one adept at DUI law and with a mountain of experience in handling such cases. The idea is to find a professional who can advise and represent you in court should the need arise.
Here’s a quick, helpful guide that can help you understand what qualities to look for in a dependable DUI defense professional.
Qualification
Besides holding the essential license to practice law, an attorney who is a member of the National College for DUI Defense can prove highly beneficial. It shows how qualified the attorney truly is and can mean the profound difference between an acquittal and conviction, directly impacting the course of your life.
Furthermore, you can check if the attorney has a discipline record by entering their state bar number on the official state website. If you find that an attorney was disciplined, ensure to read the reasons for the action, enabling you to understand the professional better.
Expertise and experience
It is pivotal to choose an attorney who has unmatched expertise in the state DUI laws and is aware of the latest amendments or changes. Otherwise, you may end up being represented by a lawyer who has little to no legal knowledge, unable to form a solid defense strategy. So, ask the right questions and determine how well the attorney knows the respective laws.
Similarly, experience matters in DUI cases, as a relatively inexperienced lawyer might not mount a good defense on your behalf. Ideally, it would help if you are looking for attorneys with at least a couple of decades of experience handling DUI and DWI cases, ensuring you receive the best possible defense. You can look into the lawyer’s past cases and check the recorded outcomes. Therefore, look for a DUI Lawyer that charge a fair amount of money, commensurate with their invaluable experience.
Reasonable fees
Decent and reliable defense lawyers can cost you anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 on average. However, the actual attorney fee will depend on the geographical area, the complexity of the case, and other specifications. Find out what an attorney is expected to charge before hiring the firm. You can consult trustworthy attorneys who offer free consultations and answer all your queries with utmost transparency.
One thing to always remember is that while hiring a lawyer with relatively low fees may seem like a prudent idea at the time, it may not be the best thing to do. That’s because many inexperienced lawyers charge less to pull in clients and end up making massive mistakes in court. Ultimately, this causes their clients to pay heavy court penalties and possibly face jail time.
Therefore, look for DUI attorneys that charge a fair amount of money, commensurate with their invaluable experience.
Reviews and recommendations
Sometimes, attorneys take a case and delegate it to another lawyer without ever looking into the file. If you do not want this happening to you, browse online reviews of DUI attorneys for an excellent idea of what the lawyer is like. It will help you determine if you can trust the person to handle your case and fight with zealous advocacy. Often, you can find reliable attorneys displaying client testimonials on their official websites, hiding nothing from potential customers, making them instantly trustworthy.
You can also look at attorneys recommended by your friends, family, and acquaintances, as it can help you hire someone your loved ones trust and have already worked with. Never hesitate to ask questions and have your doubts quelled before working with the lawyer.