Do I Need A DUI Lawyer?
Whether or not you work with a lawyer can have a big effect on your case so you might want to think thoroughly prior to making a decision. If you do decide to work with a DUI legal representative there are several things to consider so that you discover the finest lawyer possible to represent you.
Since DUI laws differ amongst each state, you ought to employ a legal representative that has expertise with the laws in the state where you were apprehended. You must likewise hire an attorney that concentrates on DUI cases. Depending upon where you live you may not be able to discover an excellent lawyer that practices DUI law solely, however try to find a lawyer who spends at least half of his/her time managing DUI cases. It may be tempting to hire your regional legal representative who handles a variety of problems such as DUI's, divorce, wills, and insolvency, and so on however DUI law is extensive and constantly altering so you will likely be better working with a specialist in DUI.
Before you employ a DUI attorney, or any other kind of legal representative, meet with him or her first. The majority of lawyers will not charge you to meet with them while you're searching for someone to manage your case. Having a face to face conference with your legal representative prior to hiring him or her is good for both the client and the attorney. You'll want to employ somebody you feel comfy dealing with. A face to face conference helps you identify whether you feel comfy. 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 lawyers (and you should speak with at least two attorneys before making a decision) do some research study. The yellow pages is a great location to try to find a legal representative however bear in mind that the DUI legal representative with the greatest advertisement is not necessarily the best lawyer for you to hire. He or she is just the person with the biggest ad. You want a lawyer with DUI proficiency and experience.
The library is another great place to do research. Your local library needs additional resources to have a copy of the Martindale Hubbell law directory site. The directory site does its best to list every lawyer in the United States in addition to his/her location( s) of specialty. You can browse the directory site by either area or location of law each legal representative handles. The directory is also available online. Individuals you understand can also be a good source of information relating to an excellent attorney.
Produce a list of questions you want to ask each legal representative throughout the consultation so you can compare each lawyer similarly prior to deciding who you would like to hire to represent you.
A couple of concerns you may want to have on the list you make are:
1) What percent of the cases you manage are DUI or impaired chauffeur? (Remember that you want someone who is really acquainted with the present laws in your state.).
2) What do you charge and what is your fee structure? (You'll want to know the most you'll need to pay in addition to how much you have 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 cost. Others have actually staggered charge structures that break things into phases. They might charge a flat charge up until trial. If the case goes to trial then there's another fee to pay. If the whole charge is required in advance however you are financially unable to pay all of it in advance ask if a payment arrangement can be exercised. It can't harm 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 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 lawyer they sought advice from wasn't the attorney who handled most of their case.).
These are just a few of the concerns you'll likely wish to ask before choosing 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