Hiring a DUI Attorney
If you have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI), you should investigate hiring a DUI attorney. A DUI charge is a criminal matter, which means penalties can include jail or prison time — and that means you need the best legal help you can afford.
Above all you should follow your instincts when choosing a DUI attorney; if something feels “off” about someone whether it be the price (too low or too high) or the lack of professionalism in his or her office, move on to the next attorney. Your life is going to be in your DUI attorney’s hands, so you must choose someone you trust absolutely without reservation.
When hiring a DUI attorney, there are several factors you should consider and questions you should ask. What follows is a short list of suggested considerations, but it is certainly not exhaustive.
Factors to Consider When Hiring a DUI Attorney
- Attorney’s Knowledge and Experience
Your attorney should have extensive experience in DUI cases. When searching for a DUI attorney, you can search the Internet, the Yellow Pages, ask around, and even contact the local bar association. Once you have a working list of potential attorneys, you can ask a few questions of them, such as the following:
- Where are you licensed to practice law?
- Where did you graduate from law school?
- How long have you practiced?
- What professional associations do you belong to?
- How many DUI cases have you handled?
- What were the results in the DUI cases you have handled?
- What types of DUI cases have you handled (felonies, misdemeanors)?
- The Severity of the Charges Against You
If you have a relatively straightforward, first offense DUI, you may consider choosing a lawyer with a bit less experience, but if you are facing felony charges and/or it is not your first offense, you absolutely must look to those attorneys who have extensive DUI experience in felony matters.
- Attorney’s Accessibility
Your DUI attorney must be accessible to you for when you have questions and concerns about your case. Take note of how quickly and thoroughly he or she responds to your messages and communications.
Some questions to ask a potential DUI attorney include the following:
- When can I expect answers to my emails or phone calls, and by whom?
- How often should I expect updates on my case?
- In case of emergency, is there another contact in the office?
- Free Consultations, Retainers, Fees, and Fee Schedule
Some DUI attorneys offer free consultations, so take advantage of that to speak with several different attorneys to get an idea of what average fees are like in your area; also, use this consulation as a kind of interview for the lawyer. Take note of your surroundings, how the office is run, whether you’re treated professionally, and also how much interest the attorney takes in the specifics of your case. Also feel free to ask the lawyer if there are any past or current clients you can speak to regarding the attorney’s work performance.
You should also ask about the attorney’s hourly rate and retainer fee, including whether any part of the retainer is refundable. Make sure you know what expenses you will be responsible for paying (photocopies, travel, etc.), and if you think you will need a payment plan to pay the attorney, inquire about that as well.