6 Considerations For Hiring DUI Lawyers

When you’re arrested for a DUI (driving under the influence), it’s important to be aware of what will happen next. You will face serious consequences if convicted, ranging from losing your driver’s license to jail time. 

Because of this, most people immediately hire a DUI lawyer without proper research just to get out of a DUI.

While DUI attorneys have attended law school, passed the bar, and have the required license to prove they’re a lawyer, hiring an experienced and professional DUI lawyer is not that simple. Choose the wrong or inexperienced lawyer and you will end up in deeper trouble. 

Thus, to ensure that you hire a good lawyer who can efficiently help you with your case, here are six things to consider.

1. Local Area Experience

Does the attorney have experience in local DUI cases? Just because a lawyer has tried several cases, doesn’t mean that they’ve worked on a similar case as yours. This factor is crucial for successful and hassle-free litigation. 

Various crimes are treated differently and courts treat DUI charges variously. It is crucial that your lawyer not only has excellent experience in defending clients against DUI charges similar to yours but also in the specific courts where you’ll be tried. 

If not, you risk missing out on a potential plea offer or deal that can positively benefit your particular situation. 

2. Accessibility And Direct Participation

All clients deserve direct access to lawyers whenever they require during difficult situations. This is why you need to choose a DUI lawyer who works with you one-on-one and gives you their own phone number, not the office phone. 

Some lawyers hand the majority of their cases to a paralegal or leave you to their non-legal personnel until your court trial. This can be frustrating for clients, especially those who are nervous about their case and not familiar with the legal system. 

So, when choosing a lawyer to hire, make sure that you have personal access to your lawyer every step of the way. 

3. Free Consultation

During a consultation, you’re able to assess the working style and experience of an attorney. Most firms offer this service so you can get acquainted with the lawyer you’ll be working with.

They should be able to provide you with an honest assessment of your options before arriving at a decision. You can find more information here.

4. Service Rates

This is a primary factor you need to consider before hiring an experienced lawyer to handle your DUI case. While it’s not the most important thing to consider, it’s still wise to find out whether you have access to a payment plan or can afford their rates. 

Conduct some research and get a few quotes on local lawyer rates to compare their pricing. Remember that the cheapest rate is rarely the best option. You need to think about whether you would rather risk your future for saving a few extra dollars. 

 5. Firm Size And Reputation

Why is size crucial when choosing a law firm to handle your case? Because, the larger the firm, the higher the possibility for your DUI case to be sidelined. While this is not always the case, larger law firms tend to be in demand and your DUI case may not get full attention. In general, though, smaller firms might have more time to review your case. 

With that said, you need to keep in mind that experience and reputation are also important. If you have doubts, you need to do your research. Look for reliable or honest feedback and reviews for the company online. Even better, you can ask your lawyer for some references, which they will gladly provide if they don’t have anything to hide. 

By talking to their previous clients, you can get a better idea of how they handle cases like yours. 

6. Your Instincts

Ultimately, the decision of choosing a DUI lawyer will always be yours. So, after doing your research, the last factor you need to consider is your gut instinct. 

Do you trust them? You need to hire a DUI lawyer you trust to deal with your charges. Even the most qualified attorney in your area is the wrong choice if you don’t feel comfortable about hiring them. 

Thus, you need to make sure that you can trust your lawyer, so you can work together. 

Conclusion

Being arrested for a DUI is scary. Having to choose a professional lawyer on top of everything else that you’re dealing with can be overwhelming. However, by considering the above-stated factors, you can surely find the best DUI attorney to work with and represent you throughout the whole legal process.