how to choose a dui lawyer

^{How to Choose a DUI Attorney}

1. Do Independent Research. Rather than relying on the marketing copy of law firms and practicing attorneys, do your own research.
2. Make a List of Lawyers Who Seem to Meet the Criteria. ...
3. Interview Each Lawyer by Calling the Law Firm. Once you have completed your list of possible attorneys, contact them via phone. ...
4. Find out About Legal Costs. Once you have attorneys on the phone, ask them about legal costs in your case. You want an attorney who is transparent about costs.

Full Answer

What is the most important thing to know about a DUI?

Choosing the right lawyer in the beginning may be the single most important factor in determining the outcome in the end. In fact, choosing the right DUI lawyer will likely be the most important single decision you make in the entire case.

Who is Michael A. Hubbell?

Michael’s skill and experience have been recognized repeatedly. He holds an A-V 5/5 preeminent rating by Martindale Hubbell. He has been named one of the top lawyers in Arizona by Southwest Superlawyers, and one of the best lawyers in Tucson by Tucson Lifestyle Magazine. He also has been named one of the best lawyers in the United States by BestofUS.com , and given the highest rating possible by AVVO, 10/10 Superb. Amazon Books

What is a HGN test?

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) is the long name of a short test. Given by police to people during many if not most DUI investigations, it’s an eye test. You may have had one given to you. It is actually a version of a routine test used by doctors and nurses in neurological exams. Every doctor and nurse knows how to give one. Your lawyer should know well the way the police are trained to give these tests, and the inherent fallibility of such testing, and explain it simply to a jury. If he or she can’t explain HGN to you, over the phone, in a way that makes sense to you, he probably will have a hard time explaining it, and other things , to a jury or judge.

Can a DUI lawyer be a prosecutor?

There are many good DUI lawyers who never served as prosecutors. But almost everyone agrees that maybe the single best training for a successful DUI lawyer is a stint early in his career as a DUI prosecutor. That’s because DUI prosecutors, even those doing it for only a couple of years, handle hundreds or even thousands of cases. There is no substitute for that kind of experience and training. You can’t buy it. Or get it at a seminar. In fact, it takes many lawyers decades to try as many cases as DUI prosecutors try in two years. And let’s not forget that former DUI prosecutors have been on both sides, know the system, and tend to get along well the prosecutors and judges. That can’t hurt either. For that reason former DUI prosecutors are often highly prized and somewhat rare.

Do DUI lawyers use marketing?

Marketing is a reality of DUI law practice these days. Almost all DUI lawyers, therefore, even the best ones, engage in some marketing. But lawyers who conspicuously rely on cheesy TV commercials, radio spots, big bus wraps, boisterous billboards, or other gimmicks, might be doing so because they are having trouble finding clients. In fact, in certain cases you may actually want to think of those as advertisements for precisely not the lawyers you want.

Do DUI lawyers win?

Many DUI lawyers claim lots of “wins.” But many may claim a “win” on what is actually a split verdict, where the person is found not guilty of some but not guilty of others. This might mean that what they claim as a win is actually a loss. Therefore, it’s probably important inquire as to the attorney’s recent complete dismissals and acquittals, and the specific circumstances under which they were obtained.