It might interest you to note that in DUI is the foremost offence drivers are arrested in the U.S. Driving under the influence is an extremely dangerous offense, but unfortunately it has a very high rate of occurrence. 

The moment you are arrested for DUI, you need to find the best DUI lawyer possible, and experienced expert that you can trust. We fight tooth and nail for our clients to get them the outcome they deserve.

How to Find the Best DUI Lawyer in 7 Easy Steps

DUI offenders are usually scared because they are taken into custody after being arrested. However, while facing a DUI is a serious offence it does not make you automatically guilty as every case has its peculiarity and unique circumstances that can affect the outcome. These are called mitigating factors, and they’re extremely important.

You need a DUI lawyer with many years of experience with the skills, knowledge, and expertise to represent you. They can help you fight a DUI case even though you may feel it’s hopeless. 

The following are 7 great tips we have put together to guide you on how to find the best DUI lawyer:

1. Do Not Represent Yourself

While self-representation is a fundamental right, it is not really in your best interest given the severity of the offence and I strongly advice against it. Unless you’re a licensed lawyer with courtroom experience, you should always hire a competent and trustworthy lawyer.

Another factor you should consider is that judges do not look kindly on defendants representing themselves in a DUI case. Many of them tend to look at this situation with contempt and will always discourage defendants from taking that course of action.

2. Do Your Research

When searching for the best DUI lawyer always look towards one whom can get the charges dropped or work out in your favour. You should research online, look for reviews of top performing lawyers in DUI area, schedule appointments, check out websites, schedule Zoom calls if you can’t visit in person, etc.

Fighting a DUI charge can completely disrupt your life and make you unemployed. You will probably feel scared and stressed out a lot of the time, and worried about the immediate future. So, you must ensure you pick the most qualified lawyer to fight for you.

3. Select a Lawyer with a Great Reputation

Another important tip is to look for a lawyer with an excellent reputation. Before you choose the best DUI lawyer to represent you, try to find out all you can about them. Read online reviews, check if the firm have handled similar case with success, ask previous clients about their service and if they were satisfied. You want an attorney that’s upfront with you and open about their experience and what they bring to the table.

One of the highest accolades a lawyer or firm can receive is being asked into the National Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 Trial Lawyers. It’s an invitation-only organization that only accepts the highest quality trial lawyers from around the nation. 

4. Experience Matters

You need to find the best DUI lawyer with relevant experience in DUI law and cases. Ask for lawyers with experience of cases similar to yours. Find out what they would recommend for your case during the initial consultation.

5. Excellent Communication Skills

A good example of a truly great DUI lawyer is excellent communication skills. A good DUI attorney will always have open and honest communication with their clients and will keep them informed throughout the entire process.  If your lawyer is not truthful with you or avoids your calls, keeps vital information away from you they’re probably not a good fit.

6. Act Immediately

Though the first few days following a DUI arrest can be very confusing and overwhelming, it is imperative you take a firm step by hiring a good lawyer as soon as possible. In fact, a lawyer should be the first call you make once after getting booked on a DUI charge. DUI law is tricky and changes often, it is a matter of urgency to get a competent lawyer to represent you as quickly as possible.

The more you procrastinate, the closer it will be to your first hearing and court date, which means the lawyer you hire has less time to check and verify all the facts. Your lawyer must be willing to invest time, effort, knowledge, skills, and experience in every single client and every single case. 

7. Know the Consequences

As an offender you should find a lawyer who will understand your situation and sympathize with you. A vital step in finding a great DUI lawyer is to own up to your mistakes. You made a mistake, but it’s not the end of the world. In the state of Kansas, first-time DUI offenders can receive a maximum sentence of:

  • Up to six months of imprisonment
  • Car impoundment
  • Successful completion of a drug and alcohol education program
  • License suspension
  • Fines anywhere from $750 – $1,000

If you’re a second, third, or fourth-time offender, the maximum sentences become more severe and harsh. You need an experienced lawyer who is aware of the consequences of your actions and is willing to fight for you in the courtroom and can help you get the best possible outcome for your DUI case.

Contacting a lawyer should be your first action once you are arrested for a DUI charge.

Where To Find Your Best DUI Lawyer

  • Through Attorney Referrals

A great way to find an experienced drunk driving defence lawyer is by reputation. If you see a DUI lawyer held in high regard by his colleagues, he is probably a good DUI lawyer. Ask them who they would hire if arrested for a drunk driving offense.

If possible, determine whether the lawyer has a reputation of aggressively defending against drunk driving charges.

  • From The National College For DUI Defence

The National College For DUI Defence (www.ncdd.com), a non-profit legal organization committed to the education and training of DUI defence lawyers. The College admits DUI attorneys selectively. It is another great way for finding an experienced and competent DUI lawyer. 

Attorneys Committed To DUI Defence -Vs- Dabblers

As drunk driving cases can be very complex, you should look for a lawyer who specializes his practice to the defence of DUI cases.

Here are Some Prospective Questions to Ask When Searching for a DUI Defence Lawyer.

  • How Long Have You Been Practicing Drunk Driving defence?

DUI cases are among the most complex in our criminal justice system. Developing expertise in this area involves extensive knowledge in the fields of constitutional law and criminal procedure, physiology of alcohol in the body, chemical testing of breath and blood, field sobriety testing, and trial skills. This expertise cannot be developed without significant experience.

  • How Much Of Your Practice Is Devoted To Defending DUI Cases?

As DUI/DWI laws are frequently changing, your lawyer must remain up to date on all trends in this very complex field and prepare his arguments. Your lawyer should be on the cutting edge of the law in this field. It is not possible for most attorneys to remain up-to-date on very many fields of the law.

  • Are You A Member Of The National College Of Dui defence?

The National College for DUI defence is a non-profit legal organization dedicated to providing information on drunk driving litigation and the improvement of defence attorneys in defending these cases. Its mission is to provide advanced legal training to DUI/DWI defence attorneys. The College, limited in size, is presented each year at Harvard Law School, along with a winter seminar at a different location each year.

CONCLUSION

A DUI is a very serious offence and therefore requires you immediately get the best possible lawyer to represent you. In fact, a DUI lawyer should be the first call you make after you are arrested for a DUI. 

This article on How to find the best DUI lawyer explicitly details the need to get an expert lawyer who you can trust and will have your well being in mind and aggressively defend you against an offense.