what to ask my lawyer consulation dui

by Fabian Terry 7 min read

Here are five key questions you'll want to ask during a DUI consultation:

  1. What Is Your Experience in DUI Cases? Like a job interviewer, ask about the attorney's experience with DUI cases...
  2. What Is Your Track Record on Winning Cases? It isn't rude to ask an attorney during a consultation how many DUI cases...
  3. How Strong Is My Case? The "meat" of most DUI...

Here are a few questions to ask your DUI lawyer:
  • How long have you been representing DUI clients? ...
  • Are you a former DUI prosecutor? (Many times former prosecutors open their own criminal defense practice).
  • What percentage of your caseload is devoted to DUIs?
  • How often to you take cases to trial?
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Oct 25, 2018

Full Answer

What are 3 questions you should ask a lawyer before hiring?

6 Questions To Ask Before You Hire A LawyerWhat's Your Experience? ... What Percentage Of Your Practice Is Dedicated To This Area Of Law? ... What Will This Cost? ... Can You Charge Me A Flat-Rate Fee? ... Where's My Contract? ... Can I Avoid Going To Court?

What questions should you ask your attorney?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•

What is the best case scenario for a DUI?

If you have been pulled over for allegedly driving under the influence, the best-case scenario you could hope for is that the officer(s) failed to gather enough evidence against you or made procedural, technical, or constitutional mistakes before, during or following your arrest.

How do you comfort someone who has a DUI?

7 Ways Family and Friends Can Help Loved Ones With a DUISave judgment for the courtrooms.Research Maryland DUI traffic laws and procedures.Get your friend help, fast -- ideally within the first 10 days after their traffic stop.Don't try to DIY a DUI defense.Proactively offer to drive them places before they ask.More items...•

What is the hardest question to ask a lawyer?

12 Tough Questions to Ask a LawyerWhat's your opinion of the probate process?Under what conditions do you recommend a Living Trust?How do I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?Can I keep my kids from controlling their entire inheritance at 18?More items...•

What do you talk about at a lawyer consultation?

During the consultation, the attorney will listen to the facts of your case and give you advice on the best way to approach each issue. Be candid and truthful with the attorney and tell him or her all pertinent facts related to your case, both good and bad.

What is the best outcome for a DUI?

– Fines are ”the best” outcomes for DUI, because you may risk your freedom as well. Based on the DUI crime severity, the offender may face a probation or jail time. If the conviction is for the 1st time, the probation may be up to 1 year or a jail time up to 9 months.

How likely is jail time for first DUI Ontario?

Potential Jail Time for a First-Time DUI As a first-time offence on summary conviction, the maximum penalty is $5,000 or a jail term of not more than “two years less a day,” or both. As previously noted, the maximum sentence for an indictable offence conviction for any basic DUI is 10 years imprisonment.

How long do you stay in jail for a DUI in California?

Minimum 180 days jail time (6 months), maximum 1 year or 16 months in state prison. DUI can be tried as a felony if you killed or severely injured someone, or if you have numerous repeat offenses. Felony DUI carries 1 to 5 years in state prison.

How do I forgive myself after a DUI?

Forgive Yourself You can start by meditating or journaling to get your thoughts and feelings out. You might choose exercise to help moderate your emotions. An important thing is to take ownership of your thoughts and feelings and allow yourself to work through them with grace and forgiveness.

Is a DUI the end of the world?

Your First DUI Is Not the End of the World It is never a good day to be charged with a criminal offense. But at the same time, it may feel like the end, but your world won't come crashing down if the offense is a standard DUI. In most states, a first DUI is a misdemeanor.

Should I tell my friends about my DUI?

If they ask you directly about it, answer truthfully, even if you don't have an obligation to formally disclose the DUI. For licensed professionals, the job-related consequences of a conviction vary.

What questions should I ask a DUI lawyer?

DUI lawyers, like all attorneys, don’t possess a magic crystal ball. While a DUI lawyer can’t guarantee case outcomes, they can predict possibilities based upon the unique facts of your case and their own training and experience with DUI law. Be sure to ask you DUI lawyer these questions: 1 Is a plea agreement a possibility? How about any motions such as a pre-trial motion to suppress evidence? 2 Which factors work in my favor and which work against me? 3 Should we go to trial?

What is a good DUI lawyer?

A good DUI lawyer will be able to help you understand the law, the facts of your case, and any potential defenses that may be available to you. If you aren’t familiar with how to hire a qualified lawyer, here is a good place to start. Below you will find potential questions to ask your DUI lawyer at your first meeting.

What happens if you get arrested for DUI?

Whether you were caught driving with a high blood alcohol content (BAC) or arrested for being too impaired by prescription drugs to safely operate a motor vehicle, driving under the influence (DUI) charges are taken very seriously by the court system. Penalties are generally two-fold: both criminal and administrative (you get your license taken away in addition to fines and a possible jail sentence). But you don’t have to go through the process alone. A good DUI lawyer will be able to help you understand the law, the facts of your case, and any potential defenses that may be available to you.

Can you get a DUI specialist in Arizona?

Are you certified by any DUI organizations such as the The National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) or similar state bar organization? Some states, such as Arizona, have a program where attorneys can get certified as a “DUI specialist” if they pass certain tests.

Can a DUI lawyer predict outcomes?

While a DUI lawyer can’t guarantee case outcomes, they can predict possibilities based upon the unique facts of your case and their own training and experience with DUI law. Be sure to ask you DUI lawyer these questions:

What Questions Should I Ask a DUI Lawyer?

Whether you have been arrested for driving with a high blood alcohol content (BAC) or arrested for being too intoxicated to operate a vehicle safely, the court system treats DUI charges very seriously. DUI penalties are two-fold: both criminal and administrative charges can lead to license suspension, fines, and a jail term.

How Much Should I Pay for a DUI Lawyer?

When entering a plea deal, a DUI attorney usually costs anywhere between $700 and $1,500. However, if your case ends up going to trial, the associated costs with this legal process range between $1,500 and $4,00 on average, or as costly as $10,000 for extreme cases.

How Bad is a First Offense DUI?

A first DUI offense is categorized as a misdemeanor, and a conviction could mean up to six months in jail. However, the sentence could be longer if there are aggravating circumstances. But in most cases, first-time DUI offenders serve shorter jail sentences and spend the rest of their time performing community service or on probation. Also, for a first-time DUI offense, you could be looking at fines of up to $2,500 in Illinois.

What Can a DUI Get Reduced To?

Often, DUI cases are resolved through plea bargaining. This means that the defendant agrees to plead guilty or no contest to a criminal charge in exchange for leniency from the prosecutor. A DUI plea bargain may involve the defendant pleading guilty to a DUI charge in exchange for the prosecutor, agreeing to fines and jail time that is less than the allowable maximum.

Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for First DUI?

In such cases, a lawyer might not do much for you.

Will a Lawyer Help My DUI?

An attorney could be the only person standing between you and severe punishment for a crime that you might have not even committed. If you only had a drink or two, you may think that the court will have leniency in your case. That’s not true; the court will pursue the harshest punishment possible.

What to check when interviewing a lawyer?

Check that the lawyer you are interviewing has a strong educational background and the right certification to adequately represent you.

How to find the best lawyer for my case?

In order to find the best legal representation for your case, you will want to choose a lawyer based off several key areas, including but not limited to background and certification, legal expertise, case assessment and management and legal fees.

What does client/attorney confidentiality mean?

While client/attorney confidentiality means that you won’t be able to learn the specifics of previous DUI cases that the lawyer has handled, they should still be able to give you a general idea of the cases they have previously worked on and what outcomes are possible.

What does a good lawyer do?

A good lawyer will help you understand the law, handle your case expertly, and negotiate potential penalties through an effective defense.

What is the punishment for DUI?

DUI, or driving under the influence, is a serious offense, and can result in punishments ranging from heavy fines to jail time.

Can you face a DUI charge alone?

Facing a DUI charge can be stressful, alienating, and costly. But you don’t have to face it alone.

Is it expensive to get a DUI?

Dealing with a DUI charge is already expensive, with potential fines and the cost of alcohol treatment programs.

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What Is Your Experience in DUI Cases?

What Is Your Track Record on Winning Cases?

  • It isn't rude to ask an attorney during a consultation how many DUI cases he's won or lost, so be direct. Your potential attorney may separate "wins" into both acquittals and plea bargains, which may be important if you feel that your case may go to trial.
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How Strong Is My Case?

  • The "meat" of most DUI consultations will be a discussion of your case and the attorney's evaluation of the prosecution's case against you. Even if you've allegedly slammed into parked cars while hammered(as one Maryland resident allegedly did, according to the Baltimore News Journal), you need an honest legal opinion. Don't worry about divulging too much. Your attorney …
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What Are My Options?

  • You should ask your potential DUI attorney to run you through the various options for your case including trial, pleading guilty, and diversion programs. A good DUI attorney should be familiar with the various lesser sentences and alternatives to jail timeavailable in your state and county.
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How Much Will It Cost?

  • Most DUI attorneys will work off either a flat fee arrangement, or an hourly ratethat is based on your case and their experience/reputation. If you make too much to afford a public defender, but feel a private attorney may be too costly, speak up. Many DUI attorneys are willing to work out a payment plan during a consultation. Don't know where to start looking for a lawyer? Check out Fi…
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Background

  • One of the most important sets of questions to ask your attorney concerns their background. For example, is this her first case or is she a DUI veteran? Obviously, the more experienced the attorney, the higher the possibility for a better outcome. Here are a few questions to ask your DUI lawyer: 1. How long have you been representing DUI clients? H...
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Special Training

  • Many times a DUI attorney will have specialized training or an advanced certification in DUI law. You might ask: 1. Have you ever been on a DUI ride-along with a police officer? 2. Are you certified by any DUI organizations such as the The National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) or similar state bar organization? Some states, such as Arizona, have a program where attorneys can get c…
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Fees

  • Right away, you’ll want to know how your DUI attorney will be billing you. Now is the time to ask about payment options and how often, and under what circumstances, you will be billed. Most DUI lawyers offer a free initial consultation, but be sure to clarify payment terms before your first meeting. You may also want to ask the following: 1. In addition to your standard rate, are there a…
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Outcome

  • DUI lawyers, like all attorneys, don’t possess a magic crystal ball. While a DUI lawyer can’t guarantee case outcomes, they can predict possibilities based upon the unique facts of your case and their own training and experience with DUI law. Be sure to ask you DUI lawyer these questions: 1. Is a plea agreement a possibility? How about any motions such as a pre-trial motio…
See more on findlaw.com

Get Legal Help with Your DUI Case

  • Facing a DUI is a very unsettling experience. For most people, it's their first, and hopefully only, contact with the criminal justice system. Knowing which questions to ask a DUI lawyer will help you decide which legal professional you should hire. If you've been charged with a DUI, contact a local DUI lawyertoday and start preparing your defense to the charges.
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