Points to Consider while Hiring a DUI Attorney in 2023

According to reports, in 2012 alone, over one million drivers were arrested for drinking under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A DUI arrest is a stressful and daunting experience, leading to a hefty fine, jail time, or a permanent blemish on your record. Therefore, it is essential to keep composure and take the right steps to prevent further damage to the situation. One of the best ways to deal with a DUI case is to hire an attorney to take care of legal matters.

For instance, if you have been pulled over for suspicion of driving under the influence, it is the responsibility of your DUI attorney to represent you in the best interest, keep you out of jail and protect your character. Since it is essential to be transparent and clear with the situation with your attorney, it is crucial to find the right attorney who is willing to help you with your charges, irrespective of the outcome of your case.

Here are some points to remember before hiring a DUI attorney to fight your case in 2023.

Be honest about the situation and circumstances

The laws governing DUI vary from one state to another. One of the first steps, common in every state, is determining the blood-alcohol concentration of the per se intoxicated. If the BAC is above 0.08, a person is considered intoxicated, which is standard for all states. If you’re guilty of the crime, you might be hit with penalties, fines, or jail sentences, depending on the circumstances and damages caused. However, during such situations, your DUI attorney will take a step to keep your best interest and reduce the punishment if found guilty.

Be selective of the DUI attorney

Since the number of drinking under the influence cases is increasing every year, with laws and regulations becoming stricter, it is essential to ensure you’re in good hands when you face the situation. Hence, you can do your research depending on the time you are permitted to appeal to the court. For instance, people convicted of a DUI charge in Georgia have a 30-day appeal period from the date of their arrest for a DUI charge. They can find the best DUI attorney to deal with their case during that time. However, it is also imperative to act fast during such situations.

Look for experience

DUI laws in different states have different approaches. While some are lenient with their punishments, other states go overboard with jail time and penalties. Hence, looking for attorneys with prior expertise in DUI law is important, even if you’re innocent. It is always best to avoid attorneys who handle a range of different cases and find the ones who specialize in DUI laws, as they will have a clear understanding of the laws and regulations of different sites and will also be able to meet all the legal thresholds.

Research about their relationship with other prosecutors

Irrespective of whether you’re innocent or guilty, a DUI attorney who does not hold good relations with the jurisdictions police, prosecutors, and the judge will never work well for your case. In many DUI cases, the victim and the accused generally reach an agreement or settlement stage in court, and your punishment can be reduced drastically. Or this to happen, the attorneys should have mutual respect and a good reputation with the judge. Hence, this is also considered one of the crucial aspects of hiring a DUI attorney.

Legal fees

Freedom isn’t so free! While many attorneys charge minimal costs, they often compromise on their ability to collect further evidence, data, and cross-examinations (if any). If your character and jail time is on the line, hiring more experienced attorneys from big law firms is best rather than settling for cheaper ones. This means considering the size of the firm also plays an important role. However, they might not be able to pay full attention to your case. On the other hand, hiring smaller law firms means compromising on resources. You need to research the legal fees that match your budget and the firms that can provide you with the necessary resources with personal attention to your case.

How to find a DUI Attorney

While it is important to act fast and smart during a DUI situation, lest the case may turn against you! Finding the best DUI attorney who fulfills all the above mentioned points in a limited time frame can be daunting because many attorneys advertise themselves as the best in business. It is important to pay attention to proven track records and experience levels. The best ways to find DUI lawyers are mentioned below:

• Schedule initial appointments with different DUI attorneys
• Look for online platforms and local businesses and schedule interviews with them, explaining your case
• Research on social media and business websites about their experience in fighting DUI cases
• Look for referrals from friends, family, and other attorneys for people who have worked on such cases.