how to choose a good dui attorney

DUI Attorney Selection Process:

• Do your research and look into attorneys specialized in DUI case management.
• Put together a list of potential candidates that satisfy the necessary requirements and other metrics important to you.
• Determine if the attorney has the qualifications to handle your case.
• Schedule an in-person consultation with the attorney to see how compatible the candidate is.
• Once you have met the candidate and considered the cost, you can make your decision.

Full Answer

How do I hire the best DUI lawyer?

10 Tips For Hiring the Best DUI Lawyer in 2021Be Honest With Yourself About Your Circumstances.Do Not Try To Represent Yourself.Think Twice About Public Defenders.Start Forming Your List Of Potential Candidates.Take Advantage Of Free Consultations.Always Tell The Truth.More items...•Apr 13, 2021

What is the best defense for a DUI?

The Best DUI DefensesSuspect Not Given Opportunity to Contact an Attorney during the DUI Investigation. ... Breath Alcohol Testing Can Be Inaccurate. ... Illegal Stop of Person or Vehicle. ... Field Sobriety Test is Inaccurate or Invalid. ... No Evidence of Suspect Driving Vehicle or Being in Actual Physical Control.

Why you should hire a DUI attorney?

A good lawyer can help you to prevent the driving license from being dismissed. Furthermore, a lawyer also will try to reduce your punishment by using all the evidence. Even if you are convicted of the DUI offense, then still an experienced DUI lawyer can help you to keep the driving license.

What is the only way to reduce the risk of a crash caused by drinking and driving?

seatbeltProperly using your seatbelt is your number one defense against a drunk driver. While there is only so much you can do to avoid impaired drivers, a seatbelt is proven to reduce the likelihood of a crash being fatal or causing serious injuries.Jul 20, 2018

Can a DUI be dismissed in CA?

The good news is even if you do get convicted of a DUI you more than likely can get it dismissed at the end of your probation term. If you have successfully completed probation or have had probation terminated early you can petition the court to withdraw your plea and have the court order your case dismissed.

How do DUI lawyers work?

A DUI lawyer is an expert in the specific DUI laws pertaining to the state in which he practices. His primary role is to explain the charges to his client, recommend the best course of action to take, and represent his client in court. He also handles all the administrative details involved.

How much is a DUI lawyer in California?

DUI attorney fees in California For a first-time misdemeanor DUI in California, attorney fees can be in the range of $1,000 to $10,000. A very complex DUI case where a person was seriously injured or killed might be as much as $70,000, or more, for an experienced DUI attorney.

How much does a DUI lawyer cost in PA?

The consumer services matching provider, Thumbtack, estimates that the national average cost for a DUI lawyer ranges from $1,025 to $2,950, with a median cost of $1,740. Personal finance website, Nerd Wallet, estimates basic legal fees of $1,000 for a simple DUI case.

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.

What is a HGN test?

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) is the long name of a short test. Given by police to people during many if not most DUI investigations, it’s an eye test. You may have had one given to you. It is actually a version of a routine test used by doctors and nurses in neurological exams. Every doctor and nurse knows how to give one. Your lawyer should know well the way the police are trained to give these tests, and the inherent fallibility of such testing, and explain it simply to a jury. If he or she can’t explain HGN to you, over the phone, in a way that makes sense to you, he probably will have a hard time explaining it, and other things , to a jury or judge.

Who is Michael A. Hubbell?

Michael’s skill and experience have been recognized repeatedly. He holds an A-V 5/5 preeminent rating by Martindale Hubbell. He has been named one of the top lawyers in Arizona by Southwest Superlawyers, and one of the best lawyers in Tucson by Tucson Lifestyle Magazine. He also has been named one of the best lawyers in the United States by BestofUS.com , and given the highest rating possible by AVVO, 10/10 Superb. Amazon Books

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 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.

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.

Be Honest

When you’re explaining the situation to your potential DUI defense attorney, it’s important to be as honest as possible about what happened. Lying to your lawyer may help you save face at the moment, but it could be disastrous for your case.

Ask About Local Knowledge

Hiring a cheap attorney that’s intimately familiar with the local court system may be much better than hiring an expensive attorney from a nearby city.

Carefully Read Reviews

We’re not going to tell you to read online reviews to find a lawyer. Nearly everyone knows that it’s important to look at sites like Yelp or Nolo to learn about lawyers. However, we are going to tell you that it’s important to read reviews critically and carefully.

Beef Up Your Legal Knowledge

Finding a DUI attorney doesn’t have to be complicated when you follow the right steps. Focusing on honesty, local know-how, and other people’s experiences can get you the legal help you need.

What to do if you get caught driving under the influence?

If you have been caught driving under the influence, you are going to need a lawyer. Of course, you could go with a government-appointed lawyer, but it is a much wiser decision to hire an attorney on your own. Hiring a DUI attorney with experience affords you multiple benefits such as a behind-the-scenes knowledge of the court system, ...

How many people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in 2014?

Sometimes we make irresponsible choices and have to live with the consequences. According to MADD, over 1.1 million drivers were arrested in 2014 for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. Out of these numbers, three times as many males were arrested for drunk driving than females.

Deciding on a Good DUI Lawyer

The best DUI attorneys sincerely want to see you win your case and help you move on with your life. They will respect you and work intently with you to ensure you are fully informed on the development of your case. They will be open to addressing all your concerns so do not be afraid to ask questions.

Take Extra Note

There are two additional things to keep in mind when soliciting an attorney.

What DUI Lawyer Fees Entail

It is safe to assume that nearly all DUI lawyers charge an hourly rate. The more time they spend working on your case, the more costly it will be. There are three main factors that determine what you will end up paying: the complexity of your case, included costs, and the attorney’s experience level.

What Things to Avoid

Not all DUI lawyers have your best interest at heart, some are only interested in capitalizing off you monetarily. You can avoid these types of situations by identifying several traps when looking for an attorney .

What does it mean when you think of a DUI?

When most people think of DUI charges, they think of being pulled over on a lonely road, blowing into a breathalyzer, and being arrested. While that's certainly can occur, the truth is that a DUI charge can happen many different ways and the details of your case may dictate your potential penalties-- and defense options.

How long do you have to appeal a DUI?

You only have 10 days from the date of your arrest to take action regarding your driver's license before an automatic suspension goes into effect. If this is your first DUI arrest, you have the option to waive your right to an appeal, which will result in you obtaining a hardship license good for driving for work, religious, school, or medical purposes, or "for any reason necessary to maintain your livelihood."