Are you looking for a driving while intoxicated lawyer? If you are, then you are probably well aware of the severe consequences that you can face by driving while intoxicated. Most people arrested for DUI do not know their rights and haven’t adequately trained on properly representing themselves in court. To effectively navigate the criminal justice system and protect your rights, you must hire an experienced criminal attorney. Here are some basic things to look for in an effective DUI or DWI lawyer.
Experience
The first thing you should look for in a driving while intoxicated lawyer is experience. It doesn’t matter if you have the perfect, most innovative, or the hardest of all the tips you have ever learned. If you don’t have someone who experienced fighting drunk driving cases, you won’t get the same results as you would with someone who knows what they are doing. Make sure that your attorney has been practicing law for at least five years. Any criminal lawyer worth his salt will have at least five years of legal experience.
Education and Training
An experienced driving while intoxicated lawyer should demonstrate a proper understanding of the laws regarding drunk driving, especially the intricacies of the statute of limitations for drunk driving charges. Any lawyer worth their salt will understand that drunk driving is a crime and if the state Prosecutor should prosecute an offense to the fullest extent of the law. Make sure your lawyer has actually done court cases related to drunk driving and that they truly understand what a defendant can expect when their case is heading to court.
How your Lawyer Practices
Even though you might think that you do not need a lawyer when you get pulled over on suspicion of DUI, you do need one. The legal system is complicated, and juries have a certain level of “confidence” in drunken drivers. If you have previously not been guilty of drunk driving, then your lawyer must know how to argue your case aggressively. They must also have experience dealing with the police to deal with them in the future strategically.
Who You Choose
When choosing a driving while intoxicated lawyer, pick someone who has many references from other clients. You want to avoid hiring someone with no personal connections since they will not have a good feel for how your case is likely to turn out. Ideally, you should choose someone you have known for a long time, or even for a long weekend. That way, you’ll be better able to tell whether they’re friendly and if they don’t rip you off. It’s always a good idea to see the courtroom experience of any potential lawyers before hiring them.
Fees
Finally, you must be sure to find a lawyer you can afford. Most people have to hire several lawyers to make sure that their case is appropriately handled and get the best compensation possible. Don’t ever hire a lawyer to fight a case they cannot afford to lose! A lawyer with lots of experience defending your type of case is ideal, but if you have to spend a lot of money to get a favorable outcome, it’s usually not worth it.