how to choose a dui attorney

DUI Attorney Selection Process:

1. Do your research and look into attorneys specialized in DUI case management.
2. Put together a list of potential candidates that satisfy the necessary requirements and other metrics important to you.
3. Determine if the attorney has the qualifications to handle your case.
4. Schedule an in-person consultation with the attorney to see how compatible the candidate is.

Full Answer

Is The Attorney A Recognized Author In DUI Defense

In choosing a DUI Lawyer it is important to choose an attorney who keeps up with the case law and the statutory changes relating to DUI, not only in California but also throughout the country as issues that arise in other states may eventually make their way to our state.

Is The Lawyer Rated By Recognized Professional Groups

It is equally important to determine whether the attorney you are considering has been “rated” by organizations that evaluate the competency of the attorney, such as Martindale-Hubbell, or ” Who’s Who In American Law “.

What to ask an attorney about on the phone?

Once you have attorneys on the phone, ask them about legal costs in your case. You want an attorney who is transparent about costs. Do not work with attorneys who are vague on this point since you may end up with an attorney you cannot afford.

Why are there a few attorneys who stand out?

Once you have done your research, there may be a few attorneys who stand out because they seem to get strong testimonials, have years of relevant experience, are highly-regarded by their peers and take part in professional associations. Create a list of these most promising attorneys.

What is the most important thing to know about a DUI?

Choosing the right lawyer in the beginning may be the single most important factor in determining the outcome in the end. In fact, choosing the right DUI lawyer will likely be the most important single decision you make in the entire case.

Do DUI lawyers win?

Many DUI lawyers claim lots of “wins.” But many may claim a “win” on what is actually a split verdict, where the person is found not guilty of some but not guilty of others. This might mean that what they claim as a win is actually a loss. Therefore, it’s probably important inquire as to the attorney’s recent complete dismissals and acquittals, and the specific circumstances under which they were obtained.

Do DUI lawyers use marketing?

Marketing is a reality of DUI law practice these days. Almost all DUI lawyers, therefore, even the best ones, engage in some marketing. But lawyers who conspicuously rely on cheesy TV commercials, radio spots, big bus wraps, boisterous billboards, or other gimmicks, might be doing so because they are having trouble finding clients. In fact, in certain cases you may actually want to think of those as advertisements for precisely not the lawyers you want.

Can a DUI lawyer be a prosecutor?

There are many good DUI lawyers who never served as prosecutors. But almost everyone agrees that maybe the single best training for a successful DUI lawyer is a stint early in his career as a DUI prosecutor. That’s because DUI prosecutors, even those doing it for only a couple of years, handle hundreds or even thousands of cases. There is no substitute for that kind of experience and training. You can’t buy it. Or get it at a seminar. In fact, it takes many lawyers decades to try as many cases as DUI prosecutors try in two years. And let’s not forget that former DUI prosecutors have been on both sides, know the system, and tend to get along well the prosecutors and judges. That can’t hurt either. For that reason former DUI prosecutors are often highly prized and somewhat rare.

Do you have to go to law school to become a DUI lawyer?

You don’t have to be at the top of your law school class to be a great DUI lawyer. But it sure can’t hurt. Lawyers who graduated with highest honors, for example, from good law schools are, usually, at the least, smart and hardworking. For one, it takes an incredible amount of hard work to graduate at the top of the class from almost any law school. For that reason alone it may be likely that such a lawyer at the least has a proven work ethic: If so, it might be more likely that he works hard at his practice and will work hard on your case. Chances are he is also smart. By the way, it also means that he can probably write well, which can be surprisingly crucial to success as a DUI lawyer (See below). On the other hand, lawyers who don’t list what law school they went to, or maybe list a law school you never heard of, or how they did, might merit a degree of due diligence, or at least a polite inquiry.