How to Hire a DUI Attorney

If you have been arrested with a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charge you need to get a DUI Attorney. A charge of DUI carries stiff criminal and civil penalties so not just any old traffic attorney will do. Choosing a DUI attorney is not as easy as you may think it is, because you just to open the phone book and select the first one on the list. When you could be facing jail time do you want just anyone representing you? I think we all know the answer to that, so let’s take a look at what you should do to choose a DUI attorney to represent you.

At this point you may want to do yourself a favor and bookmark this page, so you can refer back to it in the future or quickly find it to share with family or friends.

Word of Mouth

Word of mouth is a great way to find a qualified dui attorney that successifully helped someone you know. In order to find a great DUI attorney in your area you need to speak with friends and family about your situation and ask for referrals. This however can be an embarrassing conversation to have, so if you don’t want to go this route rest assured there are other ways to find a great DUI attorney.

Search the Internet

Search the internet for experienced DUI attorneys in your area. Reviewing dui attorneys through the internet is the most preferred method because you can virtually visit several DUI attorneys in a short time versus calling attorneys to hopefully get answers. If you don’t know where to start, look for attorneys or law firms that advertise on the internet or use a search engine and use that to find DUI attorneys in your area. DUI attorneys that have a strong web presence will give you lots of information about their practice from how many cases they have tried to where they went to law school. One last note about reviewing your prospective attorney’s credentials online. You want to make sure that any DUI attorney you hire is affiliated with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Now that you have searched attorney’s online, pick out a handful of attorneys you may consider retaining to represent you.

Contact Your Local Bar Association

Open your phone book or look up online your local Bar Association. This is one of the best resources to look for recommendations from fellow attorneys. You may want to ask them about any of the attorneys you have chosen from their websites. They can also give you further recommendations if you need a real specialized DUI attorney because your charges involve another motorist or pedestrian.   

Make an Appointment

Now that you have figured out what attorney you would like to retain call them and ask to make an appointment. You need to do this because most DUI attorneys tend to run very busy offices so you will not be able to just walk in and be seen. While you have someone on the phone review with them what paperwork you need to bring to the consult as well as what the consult will cost. Make sure you find out ahead of time because if you are on a budget you may want to call around to the other lawyers you had on your list and compare prices. If you call around you will find that the charges vary greatly from one DUI lawyer to another and you can save a lot of money by doing your homework.

Consultation

Now that you have gone through the process of researching, calling and deciding on an attorney it is time for your consultation. This is the final and most important part of the process. Make sure to bring all your information and questions you have with you. It is important to be organized and having the paperwork and questions already written down saves time which is valuable when dealing with a lawyer. If you trust his judgment make sure you are honest and tell him everything as you remember it and rely on his advice to get you through this difficult time.

 If you have been out and had a few drinks it is wise to carry a pocket breathalyzer with you. A quick blow on a pocket breathalyzer may not only save a life, but keep you out of jail. It is well worth the investment to keep in your glove compartment.