Do I Need A DUI Lawyer?
Whether or not you hire a lawyer can have a big effect on your case so you might want to think carefully before making a choice. If you do decide to work with a DUI attorney there are several things to think about so that you find the best lawyer possible to represent you.
Because DUI laws differ among each state, you must hire a legal representative that has competence with the laws in the state where you were apprehended. You need to also hire an attorney that specializes in DUI cases. Depending upon where you live you may not be able to discover a good legal representative that practices DUI law solely, but search for a lawyer who invests at least half of his/her time dealing with DUI cases. It might be tempting to hire your regional lawyer who handles a variety of problems such as DUI's, divorce, wills, and bankruptcy, etc. however DUI law is extensive and continuously changing so you will likely be better hiring an expert in DUI.
Prior to you work with a DUI legal representative, or any other type of lawyer, meet with him or her. Having a face to face meeting with your attorney before hiring him or her is great for both the customer and the lawyer. It likewise assists the legal representative decide if he or she feels comfortable working with you and wants to take on your case.
Prior to going to any assessments with legal representatives (and you should consult with at least two lawyers before making a decision) do some research. The yellow pages is an excellent location to look for a legal representative but remember that the DUI lawyer with the biggest advertisement is not always the finest lawyer for you to hire.
The library is another great location to do research study. Your public library ought to have a copy of the Martindale Hubbell law directory. The directory does its finest to note every legal representative in the United States together with his or her area( s) of specialty. You can browse the directory site by either area or location of law each attorney deals with. The directory is likewise available online. Individuals you understand can likewise be a great source of info regarding a good legal representative.
Produce a list of concerns you want to ask each lawyer throughout the assessment so you can compare each attorney similarly prior to choosing who you wish to hire to represent you.
A couple of concerns you might want to have on the list you make are:
1) What percent of the cases you handle are DUI or impaired driver? (Remember that you desire somebody who is extremely familiar with the present laws in your state.).
2) What do you charge and what is your cost structure? (You'll would like to know the most you'll have to pay as well as just how much you have to pay upfront. Lots of DUI attorneys charge a flat fee, which visit this site right here is a set amount for your case whether it goes to trial. Some attorneys charge a per hour charge. Others have staggered cost structures that break things into stages. They might charge a flat charge up until trial. If the case goes to trial then there's another fee to pay. If the entire cost is needed in advance but you are economically unable to pay all of it in advance ask if a payment plan can be worked out. It can't hurt to ask. The worst response you can get is "no.").
3) What costs besides lawyer costs will I be responsible for? (In addition to lawyer costs you might be responsible for things like court expenses and filing charges).
4) Will you be the attorney handling my case or will somebody else in the firm be the primary legal representative on my case? (This concern is especially important if you are seeking advice from at a firm with several legal representatives. Some individuals have been really annoyed when they found out the legal representative they talked to wasn't the lawyer who managed most of their case.).
These are just a few of the concerns you'll likely wish to ask prior to choosing which DUI lawyer you wish to employ.
For more information, contact:
Clearwater Law Group
5205 West Clearwater Avenue
Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: (509) 734-8500