Sometimes we make irresponsible choices and also have to live on with the consequences. According to MADD, over 1.1 million drivers were arrested in 2014 for driving while impaired of alcohol or narcotics. Out of these numbers, three times as many males were arrested for drunk driving than females.
Deciding to drive under the influence isn’t just dangerous to you personally, it endangers the lives of those around you. When you have been caught driving while impaired, you will need a lawyer. Of course, you could go with a government-appointed lawyer, but it is a much wiser decision to employ an attorney on your own.
Hiring a DUI attorney for multiple dui punishment professional with experience affords you multiple benefits such as a behind-the-scenes familiarity with the court system, expert counseling on what to/to not say, knowledge of plea bargain details, and the ability to navigate difficult situations. If you decide to represent yourself, you may be confused by the complex legal information and may actually harm rather than help yourself. Similarly, if you choose a public defender, you are in the hands of someone who may have no real interest in how you fare. Before choosing driving under the influence lawyer, there are some things you should know.
How to find the best DUI attorney by yourself : Search, Research, Interview and Hire
Do your research
A good DUI legal professional who will listen to you, understand your case, and help you in court isn’t just going to jump right out at you. It is vital to research various DUI attorneys to be able to choose the the one that is best for your specific case. Thankfully, the internet and social media has made research easy. Furthermore, it is always a good idea to ask reliable family and friends for their ideas and recommendations on who to, or who never to, hire!
Make a set of potential lawyers
Create an Excel spreadsheet or written log and keep a set of the attorneys you are thinking about reaching out to. Your list includes their name, area of speciality, phone number, email, and address. When you have already spoken to them and know their price, you should include a column for “cost” in your document as well.
Determine if your attorney is qualified to take care of your case
Just because someone is a legal professional does not mean he/she is qualified to defend myself against your case. Check your State Bar website to see if the legal representatives on your list have a history of malpractice or have been subject to any disciplinary actions. Ensure that the people on your list are all accredited to train in your state and they are familiar with the legal system in your area.
Schedule a face-to-face meeting
Sure, face-to-face meetings take the time out of every day and mean you have to drive, but they are crucial when choosing a reliable DUI lawyer. Meeting your potential legal professional in person gives you a chance to get a feel for how he/she works, how you two get along, and if he/she seems like a good fit. Come to these meetings prepared with all of your necessary paperwork so that everything is clear to the legal professional you are talking to. Before hand, write down a set of pertinent questions so that you have them on hand at the meeting. Ask your potential legal professional how many DUI jury trials she has conducted, how many years he has been practicing law, just how many guilty/not guilty verdicts she has had, and how many years he has practiced DUI defense. Don’t be nervous, and consider this as a appointment in which you are doing the hiring and the attorneys are interviewing!