| You've been arrested on a DUI charge. Now what do | | | | every lawyer in the United States along with his or her |
| you do? Although most people will recommend that | | | | area(s) of speciality. You can search the directory by |
| you hire a lawyer to represent your best interests | | | | either location or area of law each lawyer deals with. |
| many people do not do so, often because of shame | | | | The directory is also available online. People you know |
| and embarrassment. Whether or not you hire a lawyer | | | | can also be a good source of information regarding a |
| can have a big impact on your case so you may want | | | | good lawyer. |
| to think carefully before making a decision. If you do | | | | Create a list of questions you want to ask each |
| decide to hire a DUI lawyer there are several things to | | | | lawyer during the consultation so you can compare |
| consider so that you find the best lawyer possible to | | | | each lawyer equally before deciding who you would |
| represent you. | | | | like to hire to represent you. |
| Because DUI laws vary among each state ( hire a | | | | A few questions you may want to have on the list |
| lawyer that has expertise with the laws in the state | | | | you make are: |
| where you were arrested. Also, hire a lawyer that | | | | 1) What percent of the cases you handle are DUI or |
| specializes in DUI cases. Depending on where you live | | | | impaired driver? (Remember that you want someone |
| you may not be able to find a good lawyer that | | | | who is very familiar with the current laws in your |
| practices DUI law exclusively, but look for a lawyer | | | | state.) |
| who spends at least half of his or her time handling DUI | | | | 2) What do you charge and what is your fee |
| cases. It may be tempting to hire your local lawyer | | | | structure? (You'll want to know the most you'll have to |
| who deals with a veritable buffet of issues such as | | | | pay as well as how much you have to pay upfront. |
| DUI's, divorce, wills, and bankruptcy, etc. but DUI law is | | | | Many DUI lawyers charge a flat fee, which is a set |
| extensive and continually changing so you will likely be | | | | amount for your case whether or not it goes to trial. |
| much better hiring a specialist in DUI. | | | | Some lawyers charge an hourly fee. Others have |
| Before you hire a DUI lawyer, or any other type of | | | | staggered fee structures that break things into phases. |
| lawyer, meet with him or her first. Most lawyers will not | | | | They may charge a flat fee up until trial. If the case |
| charge you to meet with them while you're looking for | | | | goes to trial then there's another fee to pay. If the |
| someone to handle your case. Having a face to face | | | | entire fee is required upfront but you are financially |
| meeting with your lawyer before hiring him or her is | | | | unable to pay it all upfront ask if a payment |
| good for both the client and the attorney. You'll want to | | | | arrangement can be worked out. It can't hurt to ask. |
| hire someone you feel comfortable working with. A | | | | The worst answer you can get is "no.") |
| face to face meeting helps you determine whether or | | | | 3) What costs besides attorney fees will I be |
| not you feel comfortable. It also helps the lawyer | | | | responsible for? (In addition to lawyer fees you may |
| decide if he or she feels comfortable working with you | | | | be responsible for things like court costs and filing |
| and wants to take on your case. | | | | fees). |
| Before going to any consultations with lawyers (and | | | | 4) Will you be the lawyer handling my case or will |
| you should consult with at least two lawyers before | | | | someone else in the firm be the primary lawyer on my |
| making a decision) do some research. The yellow | | | | case? (This question is especially important if you are |
| pages is a good place to look for a lawyer but | | | | consulting at a firm with several lawyers. Some people |
| remember that the DUI lawyer with the biggest ad is | | | | have been very frustrated when they found out the |
| not necessarily the best lawyer for you to hire. He or | | | | lawyer they consulted with wasn't the lawyer who |
| she is just the person with the biggest ad. You want a | | | | handled the majority of their case.) |
| lawyer with DUI expertise and experience. | | | | These are just a few of the questions you'll likely want |
| The library is another good place to do research. Your | | | | to ask before deciding which DUI lawyer you want to |
| local library should have a copy of the Martindale | | | | hire. |
| Hubbell law directory. The directory does its best to list | | | | |