What To Look for When Hiring A DUI Lawyer
Many people who are arrested on a DUI charge are often too scared or too embarrassed to look into hiring an attorney. However, a DUI lawyer can considerably help the outcome of your hearing. When deciding to hire a DUI lawyer, many different things need to be considered in order to choose the best one for you.
First off, it is absolutely important to find a lawyer who specializes in DUI law, more specifically, DUI law in the state in which you were convicted. Sometimes a lawyer who handles divorce, DUI and bankruptcy cases, on top of many other cases can a good choice, but because DUI law is always changing and an extremely extensive area of law, someone who strictly specializes in DUI is almost always the best way to go.
It is advisable to meet with at least two different lawyers before making your final decision. If you schedule an intial meeting to exchange generic information very few lawyers should charge you at all. Make sure the lawyer you hire has experience all around as well as an expertise in DUI law. Another important aspect in choosing the best lawyer for you is finding someone who makes you feel comfortable in that initial face to face meeting; this is why initial phone calls to exchange information are not always best. Also it is important to remember that the biggest ad in the yellow pages does not necessarily mean that it's the best lawyer available to you. It only means that that lawyer has paid the most to have the largest ad. Many times it is best to not to turn to the yellow pages at all. Instead, check online or at your local library for a copy of a book called the Martindale Hubbel law directory. This directory lists every lawyer in the U.S. as well as their specialties.
Before arriving at your lawyer’s office for your initial meeting, it’s good to create a list of some questions to ask each lawyer. Each lawyer's answers to these questions will greatly aide in making your final decision. Some good questions to ask are:
* Will there be another person here working my case or are you specifically going to be my lawyer?
o This is a really noteworthy question to remember because you may decide you feel completely comfortable with one lawyer and then find out he isn’t even your primary lawyer.
* What exactly do you charge and can you give me some approximate estimates as to the what the most might be that I'll have to pay and the amount I’ll pay upfront?
o Remember that a lot of DUI Lawyers charge hourly while others can simply charge a flat amount even if your case doesn’t go to trial.
o The best thing to do is ask for an exact process and fee structure because some lawyers stagger their fee structure so as to break down the process into phases.
* Are there court costs and filing fees aside from attorney fees that I might be held accountable for?
* Approximately how many of your cases involve DUI or impaired driver cases?
o Remember that you want an attorney who handles at the very least 50% DUI cases in the state in which you were convicted.
San Francisco and Oakland DUI lawyers and attorneys
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