| Finding a lawyer for your DUI can be the most integral | | | | Ask about professional memberships such as the |
| part of accomplishing the goals in your case. There is | | | | Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, |
| a lot of information out there, and sifting through it to | | | | or the National Association of Criminal Defense |
| find the right DUI attorney is a daunting task. Here are | | | | Lawyers. Ask if they keep their training current by |
| some helpful tips to help you find a DUI lawyer that's | | | | attending Continuing Legal Education seminars on DUI / |
| right for you. | | | | OWI. When did they last attend? Ask if they are |
| Be Sure the Lawyer Specializes in OWI / DWI/ DUI | | | | members of any DUI/OWI listservs to keep them |
| Law | | | | appraised of quick changes in the law. You want a |
| This may seem like a simple step, but it's actually quite | | | | well-informed DUI lawyer. |
| important, and not as easy as you might think. A | | | | Trial Experience |
| lawyer who says "I handle DUI's" may not have the | | | | Does the attorney have any experience taking drunk |
| level of knowledge you really want. Ask what | | | | driving cases to trial? How many times? What were |
| percentage of a lawyer's case load is DUI's. How long | | | | the outcomes? Remember, no two cases are the |
| have they been practicing DUI law? Do they regularly | | | | same, so even if they have taken cases to trial and |
| attend seminars to keep up to date on ever-changing | | | | have won, that does not guarantee your case will win |
| drunk driving laws? Are they up to date on all current | | | | at trial too. But, if your OWI/DUI attorney has never |
| DUI state laws? Don't be afraid to ask specific | | | | taken a case to trial, do you really think the prosecutor |
| questions about your case and how it will impact you. | | | | is going to give you their best deal? I seriously doubt it. |
| If the attorney is unwilling to give you specific answers | | | | Your OWI/DUI attorney should have trial experience |
| about how the OWI will affect you, they likely do not | | | | with OWI and DUI cases. |
| practice enough drunk driving defense. | | | | Discuss Fees |
| Be Sure the DUI Attorney Practices in Your Area | | | | Have an honest discussion about the fees your |
| As a practicing Wisconsin DUI attorney well versed in | | | | attorney charges. Do they offer flat fee arrangements |
| Wisconsin DUI law, I've seen firsthand how knowing | | | | or do they bill an hourly fee? Can you choose the fee |
| the players on the field can be just as important as | | | | arrangement? What other costs (postage, copy costs, |
| knowing the rules of the game. Knowing the particular | | | | telephone charges, etc) do they charge. |
| judges, and how they run their courtroom, while it won't | | | | NEVER choose an attorney based solely on their cost. |
| change the law, can increase your chances for a | | | | You don't choose the cheapest doctor, do you? While |
| positive outcome. Knowing the prosecutors, on the | | | | price is likely a consideration, do not make it the |
| other hand, is an invaluable resource. Check to see if | | | | determining factor. If you lose your job, spend an extra |
| the DUI attorney you are considering knows the | | | | thirty days in jail or lose your ability to drive for more |
| prosecutor's names, and if he has worked with them in | | | | than a year, have you really saved any money by |
| the past. If not, ask what the attorney plans on doing | | | | choosing the cheapest attorney? |
| to learn about them before stepping foot in the | | | | Has the DUI Lawyer ever been reprimanded, |
| Courtroom. | | | | suspended, or dis-barred? |
| From time to time, I get retained on cases outside my | | | | Unfortunately, there are those in the legal profession |
| general geographic region in Northeast Wisconsin. | | | | who have had difficulty following the rules of |
| Knowing that I am a very experienced Wisconsin DUI | | | | professional conduct. Ask the DUI attorney you are |
| attorney and very familiar with Wisconsin DUI laws, | | | | considering retaining if he or she has ever been |
| we've had clients get in trouble out-of-town but want a | | | | disciplined by the ethics board governing their state's |
| lawyer from their area to work with, or clients from all | | | | attorneys. For example, In Wisconsin, you can contact |
| areas of Wisconsin that are aware of our reputation | | | | the legal ethics board that governs Wisconsin |
| as a Wisconsin DUI attorney and are willing to pay to | | | | attorneys. Don't be afraid to Google the attorney's |
| have excellent, aggressive representation. Some | | | | name or law firm to see if there is any negative |
| clients are concerned of the 'ol boys network' and | | | | information about their background or positive or |
| want a specific DUI attorney from outside their | | | | negative comments from previous clients. |
| geographic area. | | | | Get a Referral |
| Bottom line: if your DUI lawyer is not familiar with your | | | | If you know someone who has had an OWI in their |
| judge and your prosecutor, make sure he or she has a | | | | past, ask them about any positive or negative |
| plan to get information about them before they ever | | | | experiences they have had with the DUI attorney you |
| step foot in that courtroom. | | | | are considering. In many cases, attorneys can provide |
| Beware, sometimes a prosecutor knowing your | | | | you with names of past clients who are willing to share |
| attorney can be a negative. If your attorney does not | | | | information about their experiences. I have never had a |
| challenge OWI's or DUI's aggressively, the prosecutor | | | | client tell me they weren't willing to talk to a |
| will know that fact and may be less willing to give your | | | | prospective client about their experiences should I ever |
| attorney the best deal possible. If the attorney has a | | | | need a referral. |
| reputation for taking a plea deal and not going to trial, it | | | | Be Sure You are Comfortable with the DUI Lawyer |
| is unlikely the prosecutor will give an offer that | | | | Regardless of how much or how little you pay your |
| contemplates the case going to trial. | | | | Drunk Driving attorney, unless you are comfortable |
| Be Sure the Lawyer is Current on DUI Law | | | | with them and believe they will fight for what it is you |
| DUI law is the most dynamic and complex area of | | | | want and need, you will not be happy with the results. |
| litigation in the criminal law. In Wisconsin, Wisconsin DUI | | | | Most DUI attorneys offer a free consultation in their |
| laws change frequently. The legislature makes | | | | office. Go meet them. Meet their office staff. Decide if |
| changes to OWI/DUI laws nearly every year, and in | | | | these are people you like and feel good about. Will you |
| some instances, the law, as interpreted by the Court | | | | be able to communicate with them? Will they get back |
| can change the landscape in a matter of a day. Be | | | | to you when you have questions, or will you be lost in |
| sure your DUI lawyer stays up to date on these | | | | a sea of voicemails? Ask lots of questions, and use |
| issues. They involve a significant amount of scientific | | | | the opportunity to really interview them. Unless you find |
| and physiological evidence. Do they know the terms | | | | an attorney's office that you believe cares and is |
| "retrograde extrapolation", "Hinz chart", "gas | | | | skilled and capable of doing what you need on your |
| chromatograph" or "Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus"? If | | | | case, you will not be satisfied with the results. Take full |
| they don't, they do not have enough experience with | | | | advantage of asking questions, and finding the RIGHT |
| defending OWI's | | | | DUI lawyer for you. |