Do I Need A DUI Lawyer?
Whether or not you work with a lawyer can have a big effect on your case so you may want to believe thoroughly before making a decision. If you do choose to work with a DUI lawyer there are a number of things to think about so that you discover the best attorney possible to represent you.
Depending on where you live you might not be able to find a great attorney that practices DUI law specifically, but look for an attorney who invests at least half of his or her time managing DUI cases. It may be appealing to employ your regional attorney who deals with a range of concerns such as DUI's, divorce, wills, and bankruptcy, etc. but DUI law is comprehensive and continuously changing so you will likely be much better hiring an expert in DUI.
Prior to you hire a DUI lawyer, or any other type of lawyer, satisfy with him or her. Having a face to deal with conference with your legal representative prior to employing him or her is good for both the client and the attorney. It also helps the attorney decide if he or she feels comfy working with you and desires to take on your case.
Before going to any consultations with lawyers (and you ought to consult with at least two lawyers before making a decision) do some research. The yellow pages is a good place to look for a lawyer but remember that the DUI lawyer with the biggest ad is not necessarily the best lawyer for you to hire.
The library is another great place to do research. Your local library should have a copy of the Martindale Hubbell law directory site. The directory site does its finest to list every attorney in the United States along with his or her location( s) of specialized. You can browse the directory by either location or area of law each legal representative handles. The directory site is likewise offered online. People you know can likewise be an excellent source of info concerning a good lawyer.
Create a list of questions you wish to ask each attorney during the consultation so you can compare each lawyer similarly prior to choosing who you wish to hire to represent you.
A few 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 acquainted with the present laws in your state.).
2) What do you charge and what is your charge structure? (You'll wish to know the most you'll have to pay as well as just how much you need to pay upfront. Lots of DUI attorneys charge a flat fee, which is a set amount for your case whether it goes to trial. Some attorneys charge a hourly fee. Others have actually staggered charge structures that break things into phases. They may charge a flat cost up till trial. If the case goes to trial then there's another charge to pay. If the entire fee is required in advance however you are financially 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 answer you can get is "no.").
3) What expenses besides attorney fees will I be accountable for? (In addition to attorney fees you might be accountable for things like court costs and filing costs).
4) Will you be the legal representative handling my case or will someone else in the company be the primary learn more lawyer on my case? (This concern is particularly important if you are seeking advice from at a firm with several legal representatives. Some people have been really annoyed when they found out the legal representative they spoke with wasn't the lawyer who managed the majority of their case.).
These are just a few of the concerns you'll likely want to ask prior to deciding which DUI legal representative is right for you.
For more information, contact:
Clearwater Law Group
5205 West Clearwater Avenue
Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: (509) 734-8500