People make mistakes. Maybe you didn’t realize you’d had as much to drink as you had and felt fine to drive. Perhaps you simply made a poor decision. Regardless of why you find yourself pulled over for driving under the influence, it’s important to know what to do for your case. Many times, this means hiring a DUI attorney to help you navigate the complexities of DUI law. This quick guide will help you determine whether you should hire a lawyer and how to find the right one for your case.
Table of Contents
The Importance of Getting an Attorney’s Opinion About Your Case
If you have a pending DUI case, it’s always a good idea to at least contact a DUI lawyer. If you don’t have any experience in the area of DUI law, an attorney can help you determine the strengths and weaknesses of your case and understand the laws surrounding it. Look for an attorney who provides a free consultation, which means he or she will answer some of your questions so that you can make a better decision about your case going through. When you go to your consultation appointment, bring the police report and any other documents that may be pertinent to your case.
Consider Whether Hiring an Attorney Will Be Worth It
There are some situations in which hiring an attorney for your DUI case may not be beneficial. If it’s your first offense, the prosecutor may offer you a plea deal, which is typically the lower end of possible sentences. This deal may be beneficial to take if it’s your first offense, there were no accidents or injuries, and you did not have a very high blood alcohol content.
On the other hand, a standard DUI case may be easier on you if you have an attorney to work with. This is because a lawyer may be able to lessen your sentencing by pointing out any weaknesses he or she can find in the prosecutor’s case. A lawyer has a better understanding of local laws and may be able to help your case.
Public Defenders vs. Private Lawyers
Typically, any criminal defendant has a right to an attorney. When you go to court for a DUI, you may be offered a public defender. Public defenders have a large number of cases to handle, many of which are for DUIs. This means that they have a strong understanding of the laws in your area. However, because they are so busy, they may not give your case the attention it deserves. For this reason, it’s a good idea to hire a private lawyer if you can. Private lawyers typically have fewer cases, which means they can dedicate more time to your case and try to get you the lowest sentencing possible.
What To Look For When Hiring a DUI Lawyer
It’s important to know what to look for if you want to be sure to hire the best DUI attorney for your case. First, look for attorneys that are experts at handling DUI cases. Ideally, this means that you’ll find an attorney who specializes in criminal law rather than family law or another civil-based specialty.
Once you find 2-3 attorneys, see what others are saying about them. How are their reviews on their website and on Google Reviews? Then, consider whether the attorney has specific experience in the court that will be handling your case. Finally, consider how you feel when you talk to the attorney. Did he or she answer your questions thoroughly or did they seem rushed? If they rushed you and were pushy or condescending, it’s a good idea to continue looking for another attorney.
If you’ve been pulled over for driving under the influence, try not to panic. Take time to find an attorney who can help you navigate the complexities of DUI law and who can work to try to get you the lowest sentence possible so that you can get back to routine life.