If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence then there’s no doubt you want to hire the very best defense lawyer that you can afford. A good DUI attorney will be able to attend all of the relevant court proceedings for your advantage and will be on hand to offer support at every step of the way.
In all cases, DUI attorneys are professional counselors to their clients, offering support in all areas of civil or criminal law. So it’s important that you choose a DUI attorney based on the services they provide, not based on the firm they represent.
The very first thing you need to do in selecting a DUI attorney is to make certain you understand the concept of “no win no fee.” With this type of arrangement, you don’t have to pay anything if your DUI case doesn’t resolve favorably. So it is important to seek out attorneys who offer these types of arrangements.
If you find attorneys who make these offers, don’t hire them yet. You’ll still need to select an attorney based on the services they offer. Make certain they have the right experience and background and only then consider them for consideration.
It goes without saying that the most important characteristic you should look for when it comes to selecting a DUI attorney is to select someone who practices under the rules of the court. No matter how stellar their CV is, if they break the rules of the court they won’t be able to practice.
The idea of the no win no fee system is that you pay the DUI attorney if you win your case, but you don’t have to pay if you lose. So always consult with the judge if you think a lawyer might be suggesting that you accept a retainer rather than having to pay for the full service.
There are also plenty of forums where you can get good DUI lawyers. Take time to search for DUI legal forums. They are very common and often provide an opportunity for you to ask questions of other lawyers. You can also learn a lot from others whose opinions will help you in your selection process.
Another important factor when it comes to choosing a DUI attorney is whether they charge you to see them. Some states have a cap on the number of hours that a DUI attorney may charge for a consultation. The idea is to find the best lawyer for the best price.
So if the first time versus one and half years of legal fees sound too good to be true, it probably is. For many people, it is just a price they are willing to pay to have someone representing their best interests at all times. It is important to remember that most legal counsel firms are not charities.
They will only take your money if they think they can get you off the hook without violating any of your rights. That is why you should never have to pay for a consultation with a DUI attorney. Keep in mind that you are paying them for their expert legal counsel.
If they cannot represent you well, you have the right to go to court and get your money back. If you have a good relationship with your DUI attorney from the initial arrest, it is important to employ them again if you intend to fight the case. Lawyers can help, but you should make sure they are tenured and are client-centered.
Your first defense lawyer could be a good source of information about other successful cases they have tried, as well as potential success stories. So if you want to continue to build a positive professional relationship, make sure to keep your options open between now and then.
DUI attorneys do not know everything about every situation. They cannot possibly know everything about your case, so it is important to follow their advice and hire the best attorney that you can afford. The last thing you need is to waste time or even more money paying for a consultation with an incompetent lawyer.
