| Many people charged with DUI want to know what a | | | | You need to know what the attorney charges. Is it a |
| DUI attorney can do for them. It's a very direct | | | | flat fee or does he charge by the hour? You want the |
| question, which some attorneys have a hard time | | | | fixed, flat fee. It makes sense. If expert witnesses are |
| answering. It's a good question because it is so direct | | | | needed, who pays for them? Is the cost of a trial |
| and to the point. The person would like to hire an | | | | extra? How much extra? Ask yourself if you can |
| attorney and wants to know how the attorney can | | | | afford this guy? Understand that fees for a DUI |
| help. The potential client wants to know if the attorney | | | | specialist are high, but those fees pale in comparison to |
| has magical skills to make their case disappear. They | | | | what it could cost if you hire someone that's |
| want someone to guide them through the process, to | | | | inexperienced. Fees are high for a reason and you |
| be there for them, to reassure them, explain the | | | | should ask what those reasons are. Does the DUI |
| tortured procedures and be their rock throughout this | | | | lawyer offer a payment plan? |
| DUI ordeal. They want an attorney who can feel their | | | | You may ask "Why do you need a DUI lawyer at all?" |
| pain and anxiety. | | | | The answer is there are many things a conviction |
| So, how do you hire a DUI attorney in Connecticut? | | | | affects such as your job, various licenses, i.e. securities |
| Get the names of the attorneys practicing DUI law | | | | licenses, nursing license, license to practice law, |
| only. Some criminal attorneys also have large DUI | | | | commercial driver's license, a medical license and life in |
| practices. There are not many of them. Ask friends, | | | | general. Also, the penalties are different if you are |
| family and other associates if they know any of them | | | | under 21 or under 18. Abe Lincoln said it best that "A |
| and garner their opinions. Do some homework. Go on | | | | person who represents himself has a fool for a client." |
| the web for DUI attorneys in your area. Many of these | | | | Remember, you will have a corresponding DMV case |
| attorneys advertise in many ways. | | | | and only the DUI attorney will know how to practice in |
| Some attorneys claim to have a heavy emphasis of | | | | this maze of confusion. |
| DUI cases. What does that mean? What is the | | | | You should look for an attorney who will fight to |
| attorney's DUI caseload like? Is he busy? Does he | | | | protect your rights. Walk out of the office of any |
| handle 200 or more DUI cases a year? How many | | | | attorney that tells you to just plead guilty or apply for |
| DMV cases does he handle? Being a busy practitioner | | | | the program that gets the case dismissed. You are |
| insures familiarity with the process and a greater | | | | not in his office to have him tell you what you can do |
| knowledge of the law. If he's busy, that means clients | | | | for yourself. Doing nothing gets you nothing and it |
| think highly of his expertise. It's like anything else, the | | | | oftentimes lands you in jail along with a license |
| more you do, the more you learn and the more varied | | | | suspension and higher insurance rates. |
| the cases usually are. All of this translates into | | | | Even if you find a good attorney, there are no |
| "knowledge" in the area of DUI law. The more the | | | | guarantees. However, a good Coonecticut DWI |
| attorney knows, the better off you are! | | | | attorney should promise to represent you to the best |
| Make an appointment with the DUI attorney. They | | | | of his ability and do everything he can to minimize fines |
| usually offer a free initial consultation. Feel the attorney | | | | and stop you from going to jail or losing your license. |
| out. Ask yourself "Do I feel comfortable with the | | | | Connecticut DUI attorney Steven A. Tomeo has been |
| attorney?" Ask him if he is trained in the operation of a | | | | practicing law since 1969. His offices are located |
| breath test machine and certified with regard to the | | | | throughout Connecticut and he limits his practice to |
| Standard Field Sobriety Tests. | | | | drunk driving defense exclusively. |