Top 4 Factors to Consider Before Hiring DUI
Defendants often need to act quickly to protect their rights. In addition to representing you, an attorney can tell you what to do in the short term.
There’s no precise formula for evaluating DUI attorneys, but asking certain types of questions can help you make a decision. (Also, find out what survey participants reported about whether hiring a DUI attorney leads to better results .)
Hiring a DUI lawyer might also help in having your sentence reduced, should you plead or be found guilty. For example, your attorney can set up a deal in which you'd agree to plead guilty, only because your punishment for the DUI would be reduced. Some situations in which this would be a good route to take include:
Consider hiring a DUI lawyer when: 1 This is NOT your first DWI arrest. 2 Someone is injured or killed as a result of your DUI. 3 You believe that you're not guilty. 4 You think you can reduce your charges from DWI to reckless driving. 5 You're a commercial driver (e.g. truck driver, delivery person, bus driver, etc.).
If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reads close to the legal limit, your DUI attorney might be able to argue that there's a possibility the Breathalyzer was incorrect and your DUI charges could be reduced to “reckless driving" .
An experienced DUI attorney can analyze your case, and determine whether or not you can pursue having the charges against you dropped.
In the cases listed above, you will most likely serve some form of jail time, have your license suspended, and/or have to pay a hefty fine.
Lengthy DUI program attendance. You will most likely be put on probation to compensate for the wet reckless charge. Despite the reduced punishments, your car insurance company will still see a wet reckless as a DUI/DWI arrest and adjust your premium accordingly.
While experience, reviews, and affordability are all important when considering a lawyer, you may find yourself more comfortable with some professionals than you are with others. This could be a personality issue, or it could be your instinct telling you the right thing to do.
In some cases, for example, your paperwork will be handled by paralegals or associates.
However, the right DUI defense lawyer can give you the confidence that you’ll get the best outcome possible. If you do your homework, you can find a great attorney that will help you put this chapter in your life behind you.
Driving under the influence is a crime in every state, but not all cases end in a conviction. Hiring a DUI lawyer is your first step toward avoiding jail time and exorbitant fines, and having a DUI on your permanent record.
They also don't have relationships with the prosecutor or judge. This could lead them to convince you to plead guilty when your DUI case isn't open and shut.
Large law firms hire many paralegals, assistants, and other staff members to ease their heavy caseload. In other words, the DUI lawyer you meet with and hire may not be the same attorney who handles your case.
There are many lawyers that have a lot of experience preparing for DUI cases but they've never been to court. If you're facing a felony, you want an attorney who has presented cases in court.