How To Find A Great DUI Attorney

Driving under the influence is one of the most common felony charges in the United States. The FBI reported that in 2016 over 1 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. If you have made the mistake of getting behind the wheel while your blood alcohol level was above the legal limit, you could be facing steep fines, driver's license suspension, or jail time. It's not something you can handle on your own. You will need to find a criminal defense attorney to represent you. Here are a few tips for finding the best attorney for you.

Personal Recommendations

It is easy to find lists of criminal defense attorneys in your area, but it is not easy to vet every one of them to find which one will be the best fit for you. That takes time and you might not have a lot of it. That is why you should ask for personal recommendations from people you know who have used the services of an attorney, specifically one who has represented people in DUI cases before. An experienced attorney in your area will be familiar with the local legal processes and the judges who handle cases like yours. This can be a major advantage. Additionally, if you have worked with another attorney previously on non DUI-related case, he or she would be a great person to ask for a DUI attorney recommendation.

Attorney Associations

A personal recommendation of an attorney is ideal, but let's face it, it can be embarrassing to ask someone for an attorney recommendation for a DUI case. After all, a DUI arrest can negatively affect personal and professional relationships. There are still options available to you. For example, you can contact an attorney association for a lawyer recommendation. These associations have directories that you can search to find a lawyer who will be a good fit. You could also contact your local State Bar Association or browse websites of local attorneys for more info.

Experience

No matter where you find your list of potential criminal defense attorneys, you need to keep experience in mind as you search. You are going to want an attorney who has a lot of previous experience in DUI-related cases. Although DUI cases fall under the umbrella of criminal defense, not every criminal defense attorney has experience with DUIs. Restrict your choices to those who have dealt with cases like yours in the past.

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