DUI Attorneys: What To Expect

A DUI is a serious charge that can have long lasting consequences. Many people go to court unprepared and a poorly constructed defense can result in your car being impounded, payment of hefty fines, license revoked for up to a year, and hours of community service. If it’s your second or third offense you might be facing jail time and more serious consequences. A legal representative can help you, either by fighting for your innocence or softening penalties. Choosing the right attorney may seem overwhelming, but there are a few things you should look for when making your decision.



Experience
You want a lawyer who has plenty of specialized experienced. There are many general lawyers who are fully capable of representing you in court. However, they can be spread thin and might not have had a recent DUI case. When interviewing potential lawyers, ask them when the last time was they handled a one similar to yours. If it has been a few years, they may not be able to prepare your defense, especially if you are close to the hearing.


Avoid Flash
There may be some quality lawyers who use flashy commercials and ads to attract attention, but generally, these are all show and no substance. They want to pull in as many cases as possible and quantity prevails over quality. They may be qualified to represent you in court, but guarantees and promises shouldn’t be trusted. Even the most brilliant, high-priced ones know that there are too many variables to predict the outcome of a case, no matter how air-tight it may appear.


Cost
The fees can vary greatly, but generally run from expensive to more expensive. Most charged by the hour, and that means even for a ten minute phone call. You may even have to pay for a consultation before even choosing a lawyer, so be sure to narrow down your search as much as possible before commencing with interviews. Always ask about pricing first so there are no surprises later. Be sure to keep track of every moment you call or speak with your lawyer so you can ensure you aren’t being overcharged.


Time
Sometimes you think you are hiring a DUI attorney, when in fact you are getting a whole team or a completely different one than who you spoke with. Larger law firms employ many lawyers and their schedules may change at the last minute, leaving you with a new defense team. If you’re not comfortable with this, ask ahead of time for who specifically will be in charge of your case and if there will be other lawyers involved.

Once you've established who will be representing you, you'll want to see how many other cases they are simultaneously working on and how much of their time they will be able to devote to your case. You don't want someone who is inflexible or doesn't seem to have the time to properly research and prepare for your case.