So, you’ve had one too many drinks while on the road. Maybe you got into an accident, maybe your driving was a bit too erratic. Whatever the situation, you messed up and now you’re on the hook for a DUI charge. We’ve all made mistakes and those mistakes shouldn’t be the thing that defines us.
If you’ve been charged with a DUI, you’re going to want to start making plans immediately to fight it. A DUI charge can result in you losing your license or sitting on your record for a long time. It is not something you want to sit idle with as your court case comes closer.
The good news is that there are a plethora of attorneys that specialize in DUI cases. By following the tips below, you’ll be able to find yourself one that can more effectively handle your case and increase the chances of you having a much lighter sentence. Also be sure to visit hartlevin.com for a consultation to learn more about you and your case.
#1. Ask Them About the Local Courts
The idea that “a lawyer is a lawyer” just isn’t true. Just as you wouldn’t hire a divorce attorney to help defend you in a murder case, you wouldn’t hire a California lawyer to represent you while you’re in Newark New Jersey.
Getting an attorney that lives and breathes the local area is not only going to be potentially cheaper for you, but they will likely also be more keyed into how the local courts operate.
Remember that court systems are systems made up of people. And, while those people may be tasked with being impartial, that’s never going to be the case. A local lawyer will know what judges take a tougher stance on DUI charges as well as how you should best hold yourself during the hearing.
#2. Go Over Their Reviews
Firstly, if they don’t have reviews or referrals, that should be a red flag. That means either they are too green to know the importance of reviews, or they aren’t confident in their overall ability. Either way, that should tell you everything you need to know about just how well they’ll do with your case based on their reviews.
If they do have reviews, that’s great. Read them over and read them over carefully. You’ll need to know more than just if they managed to win or not. How was the client treated? How professional did the lawyer act throughout the experience? Were they respectful? Were they willing to ask and answer questions about the situation? These are all essential factors in getting a good lawyer.
And, while their win-loss ratio should not be the only thing you look at, generally you’ll notice that the ones that don’t follow the aforementioned points often have a much higher “lose” rate than those that do.
#3. Be Honest About Your Situation
Finally, when you do speak with a lawyer, be honest about what happened. The more you lie, the more you hurt your case. It’s just that simple. Not only does lying result in your lawyer not being able to effectively help you, but it also results in the judge and the courts viewing you in an even more critical light. This alone could result in you suffering a much heavier penalty than just being honest and accepting what comes.
To learn more about what you’ll need to know before signing on an attorney for your case, be sure to visit us at hartlevin.com.
