The most important factor in choosing a DUI defense attorney is whether or not you feel comfortable hiring them. A large factor in your feeling comfortable is the attorney’s experience and their availability. You want an attorney who knows what they are doing. You also want an attorney who won’t ignore your calls. A good attorney can explain things to you in a way that you can understand them so you can make the best decision for you. When hiring a DUI attorney ask them the following questions:
- What percentage of your practice is dedicated to DUI defense? The higher the percentage, the more likely it is that the attorney has litigated complicated DUI issues. The more an attorney practices in a certain area, the more the attorney knows about it.
- How many DUI cases have you brought to trial? A good DUI attorney should not be afraid to try a case. Picking juries and presenting evidence is a skill that gets better every time an attorney does a trial. The more a lawyer goes to trial, the more comfortable they become with the process. When the attorney is comfortable with what they know and what they do, you will be more comfortable too.
- Have you kept up with current trends in DUI enforcement? The best DUI attorneys are the ones who keep up with the newest methods that law enforcement uses to make a DUI arrest. These methods change with time. The best attorneys keep up with the changes.
- Will you represent me at my DMV hearing? If you hire an attorney within the 10 period needed to challenge the license suspension from a DUI arrest, then that attorney should represent you at the hearing. Important information is gained at these hearings that can help your case later. In addition, it may help you keep your driving privilege.
- Are you available to answer my questions? You are the one who is arrested and the outcome of the case affects you. Make sure your attorney will take the time to answer all of your questions. Also make sure they will be willing to answer your call or e-mail rather than send you to an answering service.
Many times people want to know “how many cases have you won?” An attorney should not be afraid to answer this question. HOWEVER winning is not always a good indicator of a good attorney. It is always the client’s decision whether or not to go to trial. The attorney may tell the client he does not have a good case, but if the client wants to go to trial then the attorney goes to trial. The same is true with good cases. If the attorney tells the client “I think you can win at trial” but the client does not want the stress, then the attorney can not take the case to trial. So it is better to ask the attorney how many favorable outcomes they have gotten for their client.
If an attorney is unwilling to answer these questions then they are not a good attorney for you! Make sure the attorney you hire knows the law. But more importantly, make sure they are willing to take the time to know a little bit about you.
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