5 Questions You Should Ask a DUI Attorney Before Hiring One
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Driving under the influence, or DUI, can ruin your life. Not only can you face jail time and fines, but this may also be a permanent stain on your record. The good news is that a DUI attorney that can help you.
Before Hiring One: Questions To Ask a DUI Attorney
However, there are several questions that you should ask before you hire a DUI attorney.
What Is Your Background?
You need to find out about the background of your attorney before you decide to hire them. You need to ask about the types of cases that they handle. You should also find out about how long they have represented clients who have been accused of DUI. If you hire an attorney who has had several years of experience in handling DUI cases, then you can rest assured that your case will be handled the right way.
How Successful Are You?
No DUI attorney can promise you that you will be able to avoid getting punished for a DUI> However, a good attorney has an excellent track record. You should ask your attorney about the percentage of cases that they won. You should also ask about the percentage of cases that went to trial.
It is sometimes necessary to go to court. However, it is usually easier for everyone involved if the case is settled without going to court.
Do You Have Any Specialized Training?
All DUI attorneys are required to complete three or four years of law school. However, there are some attorneys who go the extra mile to learn all that they can about DUI. Many attorneys do a DUI ride-along with police officers. They may also complete additional training with the National College for DUI Defense.
Additionally, there are courses that an attorney can take with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These courses teach attorneys about field sobriety tests.
Who Will Be Working on My Case?
Handling a DUI case can be a lot of hard work. That is why most attorneys have a team working with them. You should ask your attorney about who will be working on your case. Your attorney may consult with another DUI attorney. They may also have paralegals and support staff working on your case.
What Fees Am I Expected to Pay?
You need to know if you will be expected to pay anything upfront. The billing structure can vary from attorney to attorney. However, most attorneys will allow you to have a consultation with them for free. They will discuss the specifics of your case during the consultation. They can also discuss the expected outcome of your case.
You need to make sure that you understand the terms of the payment before you leave the session. Keep in mind that some attorneys may charge you extra for things like blood sample re-testing and witness fees. Additionally, it is important for you to know which forms of payment are accepted. Some of the forms of payment that an attorney may accept include debit card, credit card, PayPal, Venmo, and Google Wallet.
