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