Finding a great DUI attorney can be a difficult process, especially if this is your first DUI. Finding a good criminal defense attorney comes down to the following five characteristics:
- Excellent Communication
- Confidentiality
- Experience and Knowledge
- Aggressiveness
- Empathy
Excellent Communication
A good attorney will know how to listen to their clients. If you have an attorney that doesn’t put your needs first could cause you to have a larger fee to pay, or jail time to face. Not only should your DUI attorney be able to listen to you, they should be able to listen to the judges and opposing attorney. Having excellent communication is vital to making sure the case will go in your favor. A good attorney will know how to communicate with everyone and will know how to negotiate effectively.
Confidentiality
A DUI case can be embarrassing for some people. If you want to keep your arrest on the down low, you need to make sure you are working with an attorney who focuses on confidentiality. The information you communicate to your attorney should stay between the two of you. Make sure you talk about confidentiality with your DUI attorney prior to hiring them.
Experience and Knowledge
DUI law is always changing, which can lead to confusion for a lot of clients and even their attorneys. You need to make sure the DUI attorney you work with keeps up with the latest changes in the law and has recent experience in the courtroom with similar cases. Having more experience in DUI law is beneficial to your case as the attorney not only has recent information, but they have likely worked with the judge who was assigned to your case. A good attorney has experience with each judge and can tailor your case accordingly to obtain the best possible outcome.
Aggressiveness
A good attorney will have the experience in the courtroom you need in order to be aggressive. Having the right level of aggressiveness in the courtroom can help to improve your outcome in the case, and hopefully reduce the risk of large penalties and jail time.
Empathy
A DUI is not an easy thing to process for a lot of people. To some people, it’s a wake-up call to change their behaviors. To others, a DUI is simply a nuisance. No matter what, your attorney needs to have empathy for your situation. Some attorneys try to help their patients with their future by offering some counseling services to help you on your journey towards recovery and a positive future.
Contact the Law Offices of David Knecht Law in Vacaville, CA, today to discuss your DUI. These five characteristics will help you find the right attorney to represent you in court.
