Selecting a Drunk Driving Defense Lawyer

There’s how to’s for everything: how to install a window, how to bake a cake, etc. But when you’re arrested and charged with driving under the influence there’s no “how to” for hiring a defense attorney – until now. Before you begin your search you’ll want to keep this in mind: the relationship and attitude of the lawyer and their staff.

When the police officer read you your rights, they mentioned that you “have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, they will be appointed to you.” Court-appointed attorneys must meet the same requirements as a private attorney. He or she must represent their client to the best of their abilities. Many public defenders are well-seasoned because they have great experience with the criminal justice system. However, based on your financial situation you may want to consider hiring a private attorney.

After considering this, you’ll want to search only attorneys who specialize in DUI. By visiting attorney’s websites or their office, you can easily find out if they handle DUI cases. This is a specific area of law and one that requires a lawyer experienced in these types of cases. Once you’ve found a DUI attorney, you must ask this person questions. It is a good indicator if the attorney belongs to legal organizations like the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers or the attorney’s state Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. This means the attorney is well-respected in the legal community.

Another impressive credential is if the attorney has a rating with Martindale-Hubbell. The rating of “AV” is the highest ability and ethics rating based on the opinion of judges and lawyers who know the attorney. Other good ratings are “BV” and “CV”. However, some of the best criminal defense attorneys do not participate in the Martindale-Hubbell directory and rating system.

When you have a found an attorney you’re happy with, then start asking questions about how he or she will defend you. Discuss their rates and how they bill you, how much time the attorney and/or his staff will devote to your case and what will happen to your case if the attorney suddenly became ill or unavailable.