How to Choose The Right DUI Attorney

Being pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence can be scary, but actually being convicted of drinking and driving and the prospects of going to jail or, at the very least, having a DUI conviction on your record can be even more frightening! To avoid this, you should not drink and drive, but this happens and, if you are arrested, it is important that you retain a good DUI attorney to defend you in court. Here is how you find a good DUI attorney.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access
• Phone Directory
• Telephone
• Pen and Paper

1. Get online and, using your favorite search engine, search for "(your state) DUI attorney." Obviously, your state would be Michigan, Florida, New York, etc. Go through the list of DUI attorney websites and look for the following attributes:
   
   * Specialist. You want a DUI attorney who focuses his or her entire practice to defending those charged with DUI or DUI-related offenses. You do not want a general practitioner or a general criminal defense attorney. You want a DUI specialist.
   
   * Experience. Look for a DUI attorney with at least 5 years of experience. Ideally this experience will be in representing defendants in the particular county in which you are facing criminal charges.
   
   * Scientific knowledge/education. Much of the success that DUI specialists have in representing their clients comes from their scientific knowledge and education with respect to blood alcohol and how the body responds/reacts to alcohol.
   
   * Technology expert. You want a DUI attorney who is very familiar with breath testing devices; especially the particular breath testing device the police used on you to take a breath sample.
   
   * Authority on DUI law. Ideally, the DUI attorney you select will be an authority in the field of drinking and driving law in your state; someone from whom other DUI attorneys seek advice and follow.
   
   * Clean record. Finally, you want a DUI attorney who has not been disciplined by the state bar association or who does not have a track record of committing legal malpractice.
   
   If you cannot gather this information from their website or the phone directory, call each attorney and inquire about each category.

2. Create a list on your computer or with a pen and paper of each DUI attorney that you contact and put a checkmark in each attribute category they meet.
   
   Once you have put together a list of at least 3 to 5 attorneys, it is time to call each attorney and set up a free legal consultation. Most DUI attorneys will offer an initial consultation free of charge and explain their legal fee structure.

3. Time to choose an attorney. You should be in good hands if the DUI attorney you select has many of the attributes listed in Step 1 above. At this point, it's a matter of choosing the attorney with whom you feel comfortable, with whom you trust, and the one you can afford.
   
   No matter what, unless your time is pressed, you should consult with at least three DUI attorneys before retaining one.

Tips & Warnings

• If you happen to drink and drive on a regular basis -- even if you don't drink that much or enough to put you over the legal limit -- you should research potential DUI attorneys ahead of time for future use and legal advice. Find an attorney with the attributes discussed here and carry his or her business card or hotline telephone number (that you can call anytime) in your wallet or purse.
• No matter what any website tells you about drinking and driving law in your state and what rights you have or don't have, always consult with a licensed DUI attorney.

Resources

• How To Choose a Good DUI Lawyer