Five Tips for Hiring a DUI Lawyer

Website design By BotEap.comThis article will provide some guidelines for hiring an attorney to represent you in a DUI case. The most important thing you can do when speaking with a DUI defense attorney is to ask questions. Don’t let your embarrassment or the lawyers’ attitude stop you from doing so. Asking questions is important for two reasons. First, you cannot make an informed decision about who will represent you without fully understanding what you are dealing with and how that person might handle your case. Second, if a lawyer is willing to patiently answer all of her questions, they can tell you a lot about that person. If he (or she) doesn’t answer her questions before he hires you, he (or she) probably won’t when he’s got his money and is in court. The risks of jail time, license suspension, and potential criminal record are too high to make decisions without understanding why you are doing it.

Website design By BotEap.comYou should be wary of any lawyer who offers guarantees to hire you. For example, if he tells you that if you hire him, he will win the case or you can guarantee a particular plea deal. The criminal justice system is made up of people: police officers, prosecutors and judges, etc. Therefore, it can be, and usually will be, very unpredictable and no results can be guaranteed in advance. An experienced DUI defense attorney will tell you what the most likely outcomes will be if she makes certain decisions, such as entering a plea agreement or going to trial.

Website design By BotEap.comYou should be concerned if a lawyer simply tells you what to do with your case. For example, he tells her that he must plead guilty or take a particular program. A DUI lawyer should use her experience and training to give you the best advice based on the circumstances of your case (those circumstances may not only include the facts of your case, but also other factors, such as which judge you are assigned to). However, he must also tell her what all his options are, not just the option he advises. At the end of the day, the lawyer will go home no matter what. You are the one whose freedom is at stake and therefore you must be the one to make the final decision based on all your choices. To clarify, I am not suggesting that you should not listen carefully to the opinion of an experienced DUI attorney, but rather that you should be aware of all your options before deciding which course to take.

Website design By BotEap.comYou should ask any attorney closely about their experience. Do you defend DUI cases full time? If not, what percentage of your cases are DUI and how many have you handled? Just as important, what geographic areas do you have experience in? For example, each county in Pennsylvania has its own rules and regulations. Also, each Judge has their own way of doing things. If a lawyer is not very familiar with the Judges and rules of the area where you were accused, it will be you who suffer the consequences of that inexperience.

Website design By BotEap.comA DUI attorney should be willing to tell you up front what your fees will be in each circumstance. For example, how much will the fee be if you plead guilty? If you need to file motions and/or proceed to trial? He must also be willing to give you a written fee agreement at the time he hires you. This will protect you as the case progresses through the system. Nothing will undermine the attorney-client relationship faster than feeling like your attorney is stealing from you. I should note that while most DUI defense attorneys work on a per case basis (this means they can tell you in advance how much a guilty plea or trial will cost), some bill by the hour. If you choose to hire a lawyer to do this, make sure they will keep you regularly informed of the cost. This way, you won’t be surprised with a huge legal bill when the case is over.

Website design By BotEap.comFinally, beware of high-pressure sales tactics (yes, just like buying a car). If a DUI attorney tells you that you must pay now or you will lose your chance to hire them, you need to worry. Who will represent your legal rights is a very important decision. You should have the opportunity to speak with several attorneys if necessary until you are comfortable with your choice. You must have full confidence in the person you hire to fight for your rights.

Website design By BotEap.comIn conclusion, the five things to keep in mind when hiring a DUI lawyer are; 1) Beware of guarantees; 2) The Lawyer should advise you not to order him; 3) The attorney must have experience in DUI defense and in the geographic area where he was charged; 4) The attorney must be willing to give you a written fee agreement; 5) Don’t fall for high pressure sales tactics. Hopefully this information will help you hire the right DUI lawyer for you.