A charge of driving under the influence (DUI) has the potential to ruin your life. You could face jail time and fines. You could lose your license, or end up paying to put an ignition interlock device on your car. You might need to attend alcoholism treatment or enter an alcohol education program. And, of course, you’ll have a criminal record that will follow you around for life.
These things don’t all have to happen, though, if you can find the best DUI lawyer in your area to help you beat the charge. A good DUI lawyer will actually help you fight your case, instead of taking the easy way out through a plea deal that isn’t right for you. You need to find a DUI lawyer as soon as possible after your arrest, so they can get to work on your case from day one. Here’s how to go about finding the best DUI lawyer for your case.
Ask Around
One of the best ways to find a good DUI attorney is to ask around – more people than you might expect have had DUIs in the past and have had to use a DUI lawyer. If you’re embarrassed to ask people to recommend a good DUI lawyer, have someone close to you do the asking around on your behalf. If you know any attorneys, ask them if they can refer you to a local colleague who specializes in DUI cases. Most attorneys know other attorneys who work in different subfields of law, so your attorney friend might be able to point you in the right direction.
Do Some Research Online
If you’re having trouble getting recommendations from people you know in real life, you can turn to the internet to find a good Denver drunk driving accident lawyer. The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers can help you find attorneys in your area who specialize in drunk driving cases, as can the National College for DUI Defense. You can also contact your state’s bar association for a list of licensed DUI attorneys in your area; the bar can also tell you whether a given attorney has complaints lodged against him or her.
Once you have a list of attorneys, it’s time to get some reviews. Look up attorneys on Facebook to see what clients are saying about them. Sites like Avvo can help you get ratings and reviews for DUI lawyers in your area. Look for someone with a clean ethical and disciplinary record, an active license to practice law in your state, a degree from an American Bar Association-accredited law school, and good reviews from past clients.
Consult with Multiple Attorneys
While it’s important to get a DUI lawyer as soon as you can after getting arrested, it’s still worth it to talk to multiple lawyers. You can ask them about their track record of successfully fighting DUI cases, and get a sense of whether you’ll get along well enough to work together. When meeting with attorneys, only consider those who return your phone calls promptly – you want to work with someone who has good communication skills, not someone you’re constantly having to chase down. Ask how much of the attorney’s practice is dedicated to DUI cases – someone who specializes will have more legal expertise and be better equipped to fight for you in court. Ask about their track record for helping clients plea down to a lesser offense or avoid a conviction. Ask what outcome the attorney expects and whether your case will be handled by the more senior, experienced members of the firm or by the more junior ones.
Get the Fees in Writing
Criminal lawyers aren’t allowed to work on contingency, so you’ll have to pay for their services up front. Before you decide to start working with a lawyer, make sure to get a contract with the fee schedule clearly written out. Make sure you understand how much you’re paying and how your costs will change if, for example, you take your case to trial rather than entering a plea deal. The more time your attorney spends on your case, the higher your legal fees will be – and then there are court costs to consider, too.
If you’ve been charged with DUI, the right lawyer can help you avoid conviction or plea down to a lesser charge, so you can go on living your life. Hire a local lawyer who specializes in DUI cases, and get the outcome you need from your case.
