For every arrest made for a DUI in the US, there’s another 500 to 2,000 that go unpenalized. This might sound like the odds are in your favor if you drive while under the influence, but there’s still a very good chance you’ll get caught.
Of course, the best thing to do is to wait until you’re sober to drive. But what if you’ve made a mistake and you’ve been arrested for a DUI? In this case, you’ll need to hire a good DUI attorney.
Here’s a short guide on how to choose the right criminal DUI attorney for your case.
Look For Someone With Experience
A DUI is a serious charge, so you don’t want to leave things up to chance with an attorney that doesn’t have any experience. So the more years they’ve been practicing, the better. This means the DUI lawyer you’re looking at is familiar with the law and can be the best voice for you in court.
Find Out What Their Specializations Are
Every lawyer has their own strengths; just because they have years of experience doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best DUI attorney for you.
You want to make sure they specialize in criminal defense, like Belen Law Firm does. This ensures that they know the laws inside and out!
Check Their Record and Reputation
Of course, you want to hire a DUI lawyer who has a high success rate. This means you’ll stand a better chance in court.
You’ll also want to pick someone who has a good reputation. To check this, just go online and Google the lawyer. See how previous clients say the attorney treated them and handled their case.
While you’re at it, see which law school the attorney went to. You’ll want to try and stick with those who have gone to an American Bar Association-accredited university.
Check their ethical record too. If they’ve ever had disciplinary action taken against them, then that’s a red flag. Needless to say, don’t hire an attorney who’s been disbarred before.
Meet in Person
Many attorneys offer free consultations, so take advantage of those. Come prepared with questions and information, as well as pen and paper.
Treat the consultation like an interview. Does the lawyer listen to you? Do they seem like they know what they’re doing?
You’ll want to pick a criminal DUI attorney who you feel comfortable with. You need to feel like you trust them and that they communicate well. Otherwise, you won’t have a good advocate in court.
Choose the Best Criminal DUI Attorney
We hope you never need to hire a criminal DUI attorney, but if you ever do, now you know how to hire the best one for your situation. The outcome of your DUI case can have a massive impact on your life, so make sure you do your due diligence and work with the best lawyer possible, even if it means spending a bit extra.
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