What To Look for When Hiring A DUI Lawyer
Many people who are arrested on a DUI charge are often too
scared or too embarrassed to look into hiring an attorney. But, a DUI lawyer
can significantly sway the results of your hearing. When deciding to hire a
DUI lawyer, many different things need to be considered in order to choose
the best one for you.
First off, it is really important to find a lawyer who specializes in DUI
law. In fact, it's crucial to find a lawyer who knows DUI laws well within
the state in which you were convicted. Sometimes a lawyer who works in
divorce, DUI, bankruptcy, etc is a good choice, but because DUI law is an
ever-changing and broad area of law, someone who specializes strictly in DUI
is quite often the best choice.
Meeting with two different lawyers before making a final decision can be a
really beneficial move in the long run. Almost all lawyers won’t charge for
the first meeting of the exchanging of information. Whichever lawyer you
decide to go with absolutely must have plenty of experience as well as an
expertise in the field of DUI law. You’ll want someone who makes you feel
comfortable, and the initial face to face meeting will ensure that feeling.
Also it is important to remember that the best lawyer available to you isn't
always the one with the largest ad in the yellow pages. It only means that
that lawyer has paid the most to have the largest ad possible. Oftentimes it
is best not to turn to the yellow pages at all. It's extremely helpful to
search online or look at your local library for a copy of the Martindale
Hubbel law directory which holds listings for lawyers nationwide and
includes their individual specialties.
It’s good to compile a few questions to ask each lawyer prior to arriving at
their office for your initial meeting. The answers to your questions will
aide in making a final decision. A few good questions to ask are:
* Will there be someone else at the firm handling my case or are you
specifically going to be my lawyer?
o This question is really important to remember because you may decide you
feel completely comfortable and at ease with one particular lawyer and chose
to hire him, then come to find out in the end he isn’t even your primary
lawyer at all.
* What precisely do you charge and can you give me some approximate
estimates as to the what the most might be that I'll have to pay and how
much I’ll pay upfront?
o It's important to remember that many DUI Lawyers simply charge a flat
amount even if your case doesn’t go to trial while others will charge
hourly.
o Some may alter their fee structure so as to break down the process into
phases. The best thing to do is ask for an exact process and fee structure.
* Are there any costs besides attorney fees such as court costs and filing
fees that I will be held accountable for?
* What percentage of your cases involve DUI or impaired driver cases?
o Remember that you want someone who handles at the very least 50% DUI cases
in the state in which you were convicted.
Last updated Sept. 14, 2007
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