what queestions to ask before hirging dwi attorney

8 Questions to Ask before Hiring a DWI Lawyer

1. How Long have You Been Practicing? When you get a list of attorneys operating in your locality, you will notice that...
2. How Many Cases Have You Defended Successfully as a DWI Lawyer? Let the attorney tell you about their success rate for...
3. Do You Have Any Certifications? Once a DWI defense lawyer meets the academic...

Full Answer

What are some good questions to ask an attorney?

In Order to Move Forward With Any Lawyer, First Ask These Ten QuestionsHow Long Have You Practiced Law? ... What Types of Cases Do You Manage? ... Who's Your Typical Client? ... How Many Similar Cases Have You Taken On? ... What Kind of Special Training or Knowledge You Have Outside Your Law Degree? ... What Are Your Fees and Costs?More items...

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.

How do DUI lawyers work?

If you have been charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI), a DUI lawyer will be able to offer you all the legal advice you may need. A DUI lawyer's job is to ensure that the outcome of the settlement or court case goes as much in your favor as it possibly can, by building a strong case in your defense.

Is a DUI a criminal offense?

Yes, drink driving is a criminal offence under Section 5(a) of the Road Traffic Act 1988. Driving while exceeding the legal limit can result in a criminal record, a driving disqualification, an unlimited fine and in serious cases a prison sentence!

What to know before hiring a DUI lawyer?

This includes the willingness to take a DUI case to trial and argue it before a jury. If you do not want to plead guilty or negotiate a plea bargain, you need a lawyer willing to fight for you.

What does a DUI lawyer do?

With proper training and expertise, a DUI lawyer will be better able to properly cross- examine the police officer who administered the roadside tests or chemical test and prove if the test is reliable and valid.

Is it better to plead guilty to a DUI?

Although many DUI offenders may believe it’s simply easier to plead guilty to their DUI charges, given the severe penalties and high fines, this is generally not a good idea. Most DUI offenders should at least meet and consult with a DUI lawyer and determine the strength of the prosecution’s case against them.

Can a DUI defendant speak to their lawyer?

Unfortunately, one of the biggest complaints from DUI defendants is that they cannot get answers or speak directly to their lawyer. While all lawyers need a dedicate support staff to help with the details and paperwork of a DUI case, your lawyer should be readily available to answer your questions.

Do DUI lawyers pay upfront?

Unlike personal injury lawyers who work on a contingency fee basis, DUI lawyers will want payment upfront or through a payment plan. Make sure you understand the fees and total costs of your defense before hiring a lawyer.

Do DUI cases need to be pleaded out?

Do some DUI cases need to be pleaded out? Of course, but too many DUI lawyers allow their clients to plead guilty without any real investigation of the DUI evidence. Make sure you hire a lawyer who believes pleading guilty is the last option, not the first.

Do DUI lawyers go to trial?

If your DUI lawyer is serious about fighting DUI cases they probably have a DUI case scheduled to go on trial. If they do this is your perfect chance to go to court and find out how well your potential lawyer performs.

What is case management in DUI?

DUI DWI attorneys use the term case management to describe how they handle your case. It's important to know the logistics behind the scenes so that there are no misunderstandings. Some relevant questions to ask include:

Is it expensive to get arrested for DUI?

Being arrested for DUI can be expensive. Possible outcomes could include loss of your driver's license, increased insurance premiums, DUI school, fines, and possible jail time . And of course it costs money to hire a lawyer.

Will You Be Handling My Case?

If you approached a law firm, you need to talk to a representative of their DWI team. Ask them if they will be the one to handle the case or if the task will be delegated to someone else.

Do You Specialize in DWI Cases?

Aside from asking if they will be handling your case, you should also question them about their background and experience. Law is a broad field, with many subcategories. It’s impossible even for the best lawyer to master all aspects of the law.

What is Your Assessment of My Case?

The initial consultation must clarify the legalities of your case. You’ll be asked to provide them with the necessary documents on the charges and evidence against you. This information allows them to give you feedback on your options.

What are Your Fees and Preferred Payment Arrangement?

Lawyers charge different fees. They also have diverse payment methods and preferences. You have to find an attorney that provides quality services at an affordable rate.

Conclusion

If you find yourself with a DWI case, you should immediately contact a lawyer who specializes in this branch of law. Before hiring them, though, you have to ask questions to determine their background, experience, and specialization. You can also consult them about their assessment of the case.

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Free Consultations

Nearly all DUI lawyers said they offered free consultations for prospective clients, for an average of 45 minutes.

Questions to Ask

There’s no precise formula for evaluating DUI attorneys, but asking certain types of questions can help you make a decision. (Also, find out what survey participants reported about whether hiring a DUI attorney leads to better results .)

Is an attorney out of touch with DUI?

If this answer isn’t YES, the attorney you’re speaking to is out-of-touch with DUI / OVWI law, which is constantly changing. Any lawyer who doesn’t keep up with these is bound to offer bad advice.

Does Marion County have a special prosecutor?

If this answer isn’t YES, you can do better. Not all counties in Indiana have a special prosecutor assigned to handle DUI / OVWI cases. In Marion County, only a handful of attorneys can claim the honor of being or having been a DUI / OVWI prosecutor. As one of those few, Attorney Marc Lopez handled hundreds of DUI / OVWI cases.

Do all cases need jury trials?

The answer should be nothing short of YES. Not all cases are appropriate for a jury trial, but if your case is, you don’t want your trial to be your attorney’s first. Also, prosecutors keep track of which attorneys go to jury trial and which ones never do. When attorneys are known to regularly go to trial, they typically receive better plea offers from prosecutors.

Is a bench trial a good idea in Indiana?

This should also be a YES. A bench trial is the most common type trial in the state of Indiana. In a bench trial, there is only a judge, acting as both judge and jury. When your case turns on a purely legal issue, this type of trial is often most appropriate. It’s important for your attorney to have experience taking a case to bench trial, because it shows they’re willing to fight for you, even if a jury trial is inappropriate or otherwise impossible. If your attorney has never taken a DUI / OVWI case to bench trial, it’s a sure sign they’re setting you up for a guilty plea.

Should I hang up my phone?

If this answer isn’t YES, you should hang up the phone. Many attorneys believe if there’s a breath or blood test that indicates intoxication, you must plead guilty. This is incorrect.

Is NCDD a DUI defense?

Again, if you’re facing DUI / OVWI charges, you really want this answer to be YES . The National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) is a collective of DUI / OVWI lawyers dedicated to sharing information an professional experience.

Do attorneys want a DUI?

Every attorney wants DUI / OVWI clients. Attorneys want these cases, because the typical person accused of DUI / OVWI is a regular, everyday person . They’re not a murderer, a child abuser, or a drug addict. The average DUI / OVWI defendant is a normal person caught up in extraordinary circumstances.