When facing a DUI charge you need to know that you are working with the best lawyer possible. With DUI and defense cases there are many intricate details and decisions that you will work through with your lawyer and you need to have complete trust in their abilities as well as their guidance in helping you make those decisions. Here are 3 things many clients say they wish they knew when finding a DUI lawyer that will help you in choosing the right one:
- How long have they been in practice? It is important to choose a DUI lawyer that has experience working with DUI cases similar to yours. While a brand new lawyer may have the enthusiasm you are looking for, without the skill and experience to back it up you are often facing more problems than enthusiasm can overcome. What is their current and past case load like? How often have they worked on DUI cases? Asking these questions will help you in determining their level of experience as well as making sure that you don’t’ feel like a number being shuttled. When meeting with the lawyer or his office for the first time you can ask about the expected process of the case. An experienced lawyer should be able to give you a rough idea of what to expect, how long the case should take, what steps come first and so on, as well as what the possible expected outcomes will be.
- It’s important to trust the skill level and expertise of your lawyer. What is their understanding of the DUI process and the expected outcome? You should be able to talk to your lawyer about the many different stipulations that affect your case as well as how each may affect the desired outcome of your case. What are the challenges in your case? You should be able to ask your lawyer what they see are the potential challenges with your case and how each challenge can affect the outcome. Has the lawyer faced similar challenges before in other cases? With each challenge ask your lawyer about what information is needed as well as what can be done to simplify the case or overcome the challenge. A lawyer with case experience will help you not only see the challenges but help you understand how they affect your case and what needs to be done to deal with them.
- How well does the lawyer and his office communicate with you? Your lawyer should be in communication with you frequently about updates to your case as well as simply to keep you apprised of what actions they are taking on your behalf. The most common complaint received from dissatisfied law clients is that they felt in the dark or misinformed about what was happening with their case. Knowing how you communicate with your lawyer when in face to face meetings can be determined quickly in your initial consultation. What is harder to determine is how well the office communicates and updates you. To get information about an office look to online referrals or ratings that can give you a general picture of the lawyer and the office.
When facing DUI charges you want to choose a lawyer that you feel comfortable with and confident in. Take the time to not only get a list of qualifications but to meet with and discuss your concerns as well as case specifics to get a better understanding of their knowledge and confidence level in helping you. As you meet with the lawyer in person you can trust your instincts and your reaction to their answers to make the best choice.
