When you hire an attorney, you should feel confident they are going to take good care of you and have your best interests at heart. You should ask a lot of questions in a consultation about what a lawyer is going to do for you.
The lawyer that you're interviewing should know the district attorneys, judges, and the court where your case is going to be held. The lawyer that you talk to needs to be proficient and experienced in DUI defense. You need to make sure that the attorney knows DUI defense inside and out. Don't be afraid to ask the attorney any questions you may have.
- How much experience do they have in DUI defense?
- What percentage of their cases are DUIs?
In the end, what you're really looking for, is someone who understands what you're facing, who understands your goals in resolving your case, and strives to achieve those goals for you.
How can I recognize if the lawyer may not serve my best interests.
Lawyers that only dabble in DUI cases may not be able to tell you all the potential outcomes of your case. They're not going to know the judges, the district attorneys, or the hearing officers. You want to be careful about who they know, because each court jurisdiction, even within counties, have different sentencing outcomes in DUI cases. It's important that the attorney you speak with has actually gone to the court where your case will be, and knows what can potentially happen in that court.
What should I expect to leave with at the end of my appointment?
Most meetings take about 30 minutes. In that time, you will leave with a good understanding of the potential outcomes of your case. That includes the potential penalties you may experience, as well as what can happen with your license, or length of suspension. You will understand exactly what steps I'm going to take in defending your case. After your consultation, you will leave with the confidence that I have the experience, education, and commitment to handle your case.
