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This article will provide some guidelines for hiring an attorney to represent you in a DUI case. One of the most important things you can do when speaking with a DUI defense attorney is to ask questions. Don’t let your embarrassment, or the attitude of the lawyers, stop you from doing so. Asking questions is important for two reasons. One, you cannot make an informed decision about who will represent you without fully understanding who you are facing and how that person is likely to handle your case. Second, whether an attorney is willing to patiently answer all of your questions can tell you a lot about that person. If he (or she) won’t answer your questions before you hire him, he won’t do so when he already has your money and you’re standing in court. The risks of jail time, license suspension and a possible criminal record are too great to make a decision without understanding why you are doing it.
You should be wary of any attorney who guarantees to hire you. For example, if he tells you that he will beat the case if you hire him or can guarantee a special plea agreement. 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 result can be guaranteed in advance. An experienced DUI defense attorney will tell you what the most likely outcomes are if you choose certain options, such as entering into a plea agreement or going to trial.
You should be worried if a lawyer just tells you what to do with your case. For example, he says that you should plead guilty or take a particular program. A DUI attorney should use his or her experience and training to give you the best advice given the circumstances of your case (those circumstances may include not only the facts of your case, but other factors such as which judge assigned you Is). However, he should also tell you that all your options are not the only option he recommends. At the end of the day, no matter what, the lawyer is going to go home. You are the one whose freedom is at stake, and therefore, you should be the final decision maker based on all your options. To clarify, I am not suggesting that you should not listen closely to the opinion of an experienced DUI attorney, but that you should be informed of all of your options before deciding which course to take. .
You should inquire closely with any lawyer about their experience. Does he defend DUI cases full time? If not, what percentage of his cases are DUI and how many cases has he handled? Equally important, what geographic areas does he have experience in? For example, in Pennsylvania each county has its own rules and regulations. Besides, every judge has his own way of doing things. If a lawyer isn’t very familiar with the judges and rules in the area where you were charged, you will likely suffer the consequences of that inexperience.
A DUI attorney should be prepared to tell you in advance what his fee will be for each situation. For example, if you plead guilty, what is the fee? If you need to file a motion and/or proceed to trial? He should also be willing to give you a written fee agreement when you hire him. This will protect you as the matter moves through the system. Nothing will sour the attorney-client relationship faster than realizing that your attorney is stealing from you. I should note that while most DUI defense attorneys work for a fee on a per-case basis (this means they can tell you in advance what a plea or trial will cost), some bill by the hour. . If you choose to hire a lawyer who does this, make sure he keeps you regularly updated as to the costs. That way, when the case is over, you won’t be surprised with a huge legal bill.
Finally, beware of high pressure sales tactics (yes, like when buying a car). If a DUI attorney tells you that you must pay now or lose the opportunity to hire him, you should be concerned. Who will represent your legal rights is a very important decision. You should have the opportunity to speak with several attorneys until you are comfortable with your choices. You must have full faith in the person whom you appoint to fight for your rights.
In conclusion, here are the five things you should keep in mind while hiring a DUI lawyer; 1) Be wary of guarantees; 2) the lawyer should advise you not to make the order; 3) The attorney must have experience in DUI defense and in the geographic area where you were 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 attorney for you.
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