It’s important to realize that you are already in problems when a traffic police officer arrests you for a DUI. Remember that you can face serious consequences if you are convicted of a DUI, and they can range from losing the licence and paying hefty fines to jail time. Because of this, it’s a good idea to hire a dui defense lawyer in cumberland county to defend your rights.
Unfortunately, it can be hard to find the right DUI lawyer. Just because an attorney has the basic knowledge and experience doing similar work doesn’t mean they are the best option. To make sure that you hire the right DUI attorney, you need to consider several factors. This article explains some of the things you should consider before hiring a DUI attorney.
Find a DUI attorney with good knowledge
You can find many attorneys that advertise nationwide, but they may not know the laws applicable to your state. Worse still, these attorneys may not have any relationships with the judges or prosecutors. This can lead these attorneys to ask you to plead guilty, though your case can still have a chance of winning.
If you want the DUI attorney to fight the charges on your behalf, make sure that they will be available in court. A good DUI lawyer needs to know if there are chances of the prosecution pushing for penalties. Even better, a lawyer should know the DUI conviction rate of the judge. Thankfully, the good news is that a local DUI attorney can know all these. Therefore, it’s crucial to find a local DUI attorney who also understands the changes in DUI laws and is ready to represent you.
But aside from knowledge about the local DUI or OUI (operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs) laws, a good OUI defense lawyer should have experience litigating actual DUI cases in court. This means they should be familiar with specific court processes and procedural rules, including the necessary paperwork to be submitted for the criminal proceeding.
With all these things being said, it’s important to know the DUI attorney who will handle the case. That way, you can develop a more solid defense strategy that helps you obtain a favorable outcome.
On the other hand, looking for the appropriate legal professional may be difficult. There are large law firms that tend to hire many assistants, paralegals, and other staff members to help with their huge caseload. Therefore, the DUI attorney you interact with and hire can sometimes not be the same lawyer who may handle your case.
In your initial consultation, it’s important to ask the attorney if they will represent you in court. Ideally, you don’t want an attorney handling your case to someone else when your future is on the line. If they are not about this, then it’s a good idea to consider hiring another attorney. Keep in mind that the attorney who can handle your case may also play a huge role when it comes to the charges of their services.
During the first consultation, you should ask them how they charge their services. While this can be an awkward question, it’s always a good idea to bring it in the open from the beginning. That way, you’ll know how much they’ll charge you for representing your case in court.
Hiring an attorney requires you to pay for their services, so make sure that your finances are in order. A good DUI attorney can give you an estimated amount for your defense. It’s worth noting that there are various factors that come into play, but you should always ask for this estimate. You can tell an attorney your budget and ask them if the total fee includes the file review, investigation, and evidence collection. Just remember that a lawyer offering the cheapest price isn’t necessarily the best option. Sometimes, paying more money for a lawyer means having better chances of winning your criminal case.
Conclusion
Dealing with a DUI charge can be frustrating. But with the right lawyer by your side, you can navigate the situation more effectively. Therefore, if you’re searching for an experienced and reliable legal professional, keep the information mentioned above in mind to help you make the right hiring decision. Take note that it’s your future that’s at stake when you’re facing a criminal charge. So, work with the best attorney who can represent and fight for your rights in court.
