what to first ask a dui attorney

^{Questions to Ask Your DUI Lawyer}

• Background. One of the most important sets of questions to ask your attorney concerns their background. For example, is this her first case or is she a DUI veteran?
• Special Training. Many times a DUI attorney will have specialized training or an advanced certification in DUI law. Thank you for subscribing!
• Fees. Right away, you’ll want to know how your DUI attorney will be billing you. ...
• Outcome. DUI lawyers, like all attorneys, don’t possess a magic crystal ball. ...
• Get Legal Help with Your DUI Case. Facing a DUI is a very unsettling experience. For most people, it's their first, and hopefully only, contact with the criminal justice system.

Full Answer

How do you know if you are charged with a DUI?

Apr 20, 2020 · One of the first questions you need to ask your potential attorney is about their background and experience. As there are many different types of criminal attorneys out there, finding an attorney that is experienced with DUI’s can be critical to your case and your outcome. Discussing their specific background and experience can help you gauge if they are the …

Can a DUI attorney help with a felony DUI case?

Before DUI DWI attorneys can give you feedback about your options, they need to understand the charges and the evidence against you. Listen carefully to the questions the attorneys ask you, and answer them directly. Then you can get some suggestions by asking: Would you recommend a guilty plea? Is a plea agreement a possibility? Should we go to trial?

What are the different stages of a DUI case?

Review what suggested questions to ask when interviewing a DUI lawyer near you. The authoritative way to find a adept lawyer is knowing the best essential questions you need to ask first before you hire any local department of defense lawyer for a DUI, DWI case.

What happens if I plead “not guilty” to a DUI charge?

Dec 14, 2020 · You’ll want to ask how much trial experience the attorney has; some attorneys regularly do DUI cases but rarely go to trial. Trial record aside, repeated exposure to various kinds of cases can help a lawyer anticipate the possible outcomes you face. This kind of knowledge can be helpful in advising you on your options.

Tell Me About Your Background

One of the first questions you need to ask your potential attorney is about their background and experience. As there are many different types of criminal lawyers out there, finding an attorney that is experienced with DUI’s can be critical to your case and your outcome.

What Are Your Fees?

One of the most common questions that many individuals have when talking to any lawyer is: How much will this cost, and can I afford it? That’s why clarifying the billing and the fee schedule early on will help you prepare and understand how much you owe.

What Are the Possible Outcomes?

The most popular question that every DUI attorney gets is: What is going to happen to me? No attorney can give you a definite answer of what exactly will happen in your case. However, experienced DUI attorneys can provide you with feedback and options that are possible based on the facts of your situation.

Whom Do I Call With Questions?

One thing that all individuals who have been charged with a crime need to remember is the logistics behind the scenes are just as important as what is going on with the case. Knowing who is working on your behalf can provide you with clear communication and the peace of mind that your case is getting the dedication that you want and deserve.

Why a DUI Lawyer?

DUI lawyers are dedicated to helping to preserve the rights of the accused. Look for a law firm that has made DUI defense a concentration of its practice. You will want a DUI attorney known not only for the dedication he or she provides to clients, but across the state for their work ethic and their DUI defense knowledge.

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:

What is the legal term for driving while intoxicated?

Also, know that not all states use the term DUI. Here are some other terms you may hear as you talk to your lawyer: Driving while intoxicated, or DWI. Operating while intoxicated, or OWI. Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, or OVI.

Why do lawyers decline to represent you?

If they have, they may decline to represent you because of a conflict of interest. Finally, bring your list of questions, so you don't forget to ask anything.

Is it better to have a lawyer or a prosecutor?

It's to your advantage to have a lawyer who is familiar with attorneys in the prosecutor's office. An attorney with a good reputation may be able to negotiate better terms for you. An example would be a DUI conviction resulting in community service and DUI school instead of a fine or jail time.

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.

What can a DUI attorney do?

A DUI attorney can benefit from any tickets, papers, or citations issued to you by law enforcement or the court after your arrest. These documents can contain valuable information that may show errors in procedure or other problematic details that you can construct an effective defense around.

Is a first offender a misdemeanor?

Depending upon the details of your case, the charge might be a misdemeanor (standard for a first offender) or a felony (if there was an accident that seriously injured or killed someone, for example). Any guilty verdict in a criminal case can impact your future, but felonies have far more severe implications. The attorney will be able to explain the potential consequences in your case.

Is breathalyzer test inadmissible in Massachusetts?

As a result, breathalyzer test results would be inadmissible as trial evidence in Massachusetts until significant reforms had been made. As of July 29, 2019, however, this ban was finally lifted .

Can you fight a DUI in Massachusetts?

However, no Massachusetts drunk driving attorney can guarantee an outcome. Plea bargaining for a CWOF and Alternative Disposition (which are often possible for first offenders) can spare your record of a criminal conviction.

What questions should I ask a DUI lawyer?

DUI lawyers, like all attorneys, don’t possess a magic crystal ball. While a DUI lawyer can’t guarantee case outcomes, they can predict possibilities based upon the unique facts of your case and their own training and experience with DUI law. Be sure to ask you DUI lawyer these questions: 1 Is a plea agreement a possibility? How about any motions such as a pre-trial motion to suppress evidence? 2 Which factors work in my favor and which work against me? 3 Should we go to trial?

What is a good DUI lawyer?

A good DUI lawyer will be able to help you understand the law, the facts of your case, and any potential defenses that may be available to you. If you aren’t familiar with how to hire a qualified lawyer, here is a good place to start. Below you will find potential questions to ask your DUI lawyer at your first meeting.

What is a DUI charge?

Whether you were caught driving with a high blood alcohol content (BAC) or arrested for being too impaired by prescription drugs to safely operate a motor vehicle, driving under the influence (DUI) charges are taken very seriously by the court system.

Can a DUI lawyer predict outcomes?

While a DUI lawyer can’t guarantee case outcomes, they can predict possibilities based upon the unique facts of your case and their own training and experience with DUI law. Be sure to ask you DUI lawyer these questions:

What to do after being arrested for DUI?

Defendants often need to act quickly to protect their rights. In addition to representing you, an attorney can tell you what to do in the short term.

Can you evaluate a DUI attorney?

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 .)

What Are Your Primary Practice Areas?

One of the first questions you should ask any lawyer you are considering hiring as your criminal defense lawyer is what areas of law they focus on.

What Experience Do You Have Handling DUI Charges?

It is also important for you to have an understanding of the individual experience your DUI lawyer has in this area of the law.

What Kind of Outcome Can I Expect?

During an initial consultation, a DUI lawyer can discuss the particular circumstances surrounding your case to determine the strengths and weaknesses of your case. He or she can investigate possible legal strategies to use in your case.

What Is Your Fee Structure?

You will be responsible for paying your DUI lawyer, so it is important to understand the fee structure.

Contact an Experienced Washington DUI Lawyer

Bugbee Law Office, P.S. has provided effective legal representation to individuals facing DUI charges for more than 22 years. We will work diligently to protect your rights and to keep you informed at each stage in your case.

What happens if a judge finds probable cause for a DUI?

If the judge determines that there is no probable cause, they will allow the officer to supplement the paperwork with additional facts to see if they can meet the standard.

Why do we have motions in DUI cases?

Motions are set in order to sort through the evidence and set the boundaries of a case.

What is the process of arrest?

An arrest occurs when an officer feels that he or she has probable cause to believe that the crime of DUI has been committed. Probable cause means that there is some evidence that you committed the crime of DUI.

How long does it take for a DUI to fall off your record in Florida?

Where other states will only consider a DUI charge within the past 5 or 10 years when charging a prior conviction, Florida considers all priors regardless of the time that has elapsed.

Can you have an adversarial preliminary hearing for a felony DUI?

Adversarial preliminary hearings are only available in felony cases. As most DUI cases are misdemeanors this is not commonplace in a DUI offense. But in cases of felony DUI, such as a fourth or subsequent offense, DUI Manslaughter or DUI with Serious Bodily Injury it may be a useful tool for the attorney to use.

How much down payment do you need to get out of jail?

In general, you supply the bondsman with a 10% down payment and some type of collateral. In return the bail bondsman posts your bond for you, and you are released from jail. As long as you appear for all of your scheduled court dates you will get your collateral back.

What happens if you don't have bail?

If you don’t have the money to post bond, and if you choose not to use a bail bond agency to try to post your bail, you will be brought to First Appearances. First appearances are just that, your first appearance before the judge.

Background

• One of the most important sets of questions to ask your attorney concerns their background. For example, is this her first case or is she a DUI veteran? Obviously, the more experienced the attorney, the higher the possibility for a better outcome. Here are a few questions to ask your DUI lawyer: 1. How long have you been representing DUI clients? How many DUI cases do you handl…

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Outcome

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