While there are plenty of attorneys in California that practice DUI Law, not all of them will be the right fit for you.
Attorneys are a lot like shirts. Sure, most of them fit you well enough, but only a few truly fit you perfectly.
You must choose an attorney that you can trust, one where you feel comfortable and confident that they have your best interests at heart.
The best way to determine whether a lawyer is right for you or not is to ask plenty of questions during your first consultation and we don’t mean asking random questions, ask them about their background, if they’ve handled DUI cases before and what the results of those cases were.
To people who aren’t well-versed in tangling with the law, it can be easy to just go for the first “reputable” attorney you can find. However, not all of them will have our best interests at heart.
It is important to choose someone empathetic to your situation. Yes, a DUI is a serious offense but you have to find an attorney that shares your sentiments no matter how warped they may be.
It is also vital that you ensure your attorney is on the same page as you in terms of your goals. The right attorney will strive to achieve your goals while also providing you with helpful, realistic insights when it comes to how your case can be pled and handled.
There are several important questions to ask once you have established your prospective attorney’s credentials. Should you ask all of them? Definitely. The right lawyer will be patient in addressing all of your concerns. It is essential to establish a bond and trust with your attorney before you move forward with the case.
One thing you should make sure of before moving forward with your attorney is if the attorney you’re speaking with will be the same attorney who will see to your case from beginning until the end.
More often than not, in larger law firms, they will initially introduce you to their most educated and experienced attorney. This is so you are assured of the firm’s ability to handle your case.
Once the firm is hired, they transfer your case to another practicing attorney at the firm. Most of the time, the attorney that will be handling your case is one that you haven’t even spoken with and that is something that you should avoid.
There are plenty of attorneys that practice DUI law but don’t focus on them. Dui laws are dynamic and change all the time. You want to make sure your attorney is well-versed and is up to date on the recent DUI laws.
To better understand your attorney’s knowledge and experience with DUI cases, you should ask a few questions related to your concerns.
Establish an attorney’s familiarity with the court that will handle your case. You should make sure the know the DMV hearing officers where your case will be held.
Ensure your attorney knows, understands and informs you how your goals will be achieved. It is vital to your case and piece of mind.
If you aren’t sure where to start your search for an attorney, you can check out seyblaw.com who has some great insight on DUI charges and offer and easily accessible free case evaluation.
When you’ve found a lawyer you think is a good fit for you, it is still important that you do additional research to confirm the competency of the lawyer.
Always ask the lawyer about his background in practicing DUI cases. You should ask them how long they have been practicing DUI law, ask if they take regular trainings for DUI and MCLE,and verify if they know the authorities involved in your case. These questions give you some insight into how involved they are with DUI cases.
That being said, you should prepare yourself before that first consultation. Sometimes, the outcome that you want for your case is not possible and you might have to compromise. You should be prepared to deal with the options your lawyer will present with you and you shouldn’t be afraid to ask about the laws surrounding your offense.
You should be prepared for the potential outcomes and potential situations wherein you will have to sacrifice some of the ideas you have about your case.
You should also be ready to explain to your lawyer and do everything necessary in order to keep your license, your job and avoid jail if possible.
When you’ve prepared yourself mentally for the challenges meeting with your lawyer and discussing your case will bring, it is important to remember that you need to have all your paperwork prepared. Bringing your paperwork will make it easier for the lawyer to determine the circumstances surrounding your case and make a decent first evaluation.
If all else fails, you have to be ready for the possibility that the first (or other) lawyers you’ve talked to may not be right for you. This is especially true if you notice that they are not as enthusiastic in answering your questions as you are asking them, or if they simply do not “feel” right.
It is not a bad thing to feel like the lawyer or lawyers you’ve come across are not right for you. It is only possible to truly succeed in your case is to do thorough research and back yourself with the right legal team.