What Questions Should I Ask a DUI Lawyer?

If you face an active DUI charge, the best thing you can do for yourself is to find the right attorney to ensure the best outcome possible. While no attorney can promise any particular outcome, you have a way better chance of receiving a smaller penalty with an experienced attorney than not. So, to determine whether an attorney is right for you, we have compiled a list of questions you should ask before moving forward.

At the Law Office of David Leicht, we can help you schedule a free consultation to learn more about your options. You can get to know more about your lawyer while they become more familiar with your case. Therefore, coming prepared with questions to ask will only help your DUI case in the long run.

Learn About Your Lawyer

Once you get a DUI lawyer, you want to feel confident in their ability to defend your case. Typically, the questions you should ask include:

• How long have you been practicing DUI law?
• Do you specialize in DUI cases? Do DUI cases make up a significant amount of your workload?
• Did you go through any special training regarding DUI cases?
• Do you handle both the DMV hearings and the trial?
• How many of your DUI cases go to trial? What percentage end in a plea deal?

These questions are designed to help you determine if the lawyer is qualified to handle your case. You want to hire an experienced DUI lawyer with great attention to detail to improve the chances you will receive a lesser penalty or charge. It’s also crucial to know if you’re likely going to trial or avoiding it altogether with a plea deal so that you can better prepare for the future.

How the Lawyer Gets Paid

Unfortunately, most people do not qualify for a public defender. Yet, this isn’t always a bad thing considering you may end up with a public defender who has no experience with DUI cases.

So, you should always be prepared to know the costs of hiring a private DUI lawyer to defend your case. Questions you should ask about the cost include:

• What are your rates? Do you charge by the hour, or is there a single fee?
• If any additional charges come up in my case, does your rate cover them?
• Do you offer payment plans? Do you accept credit cards? How do you expect to be paid?

Asking about finances can be uncomfortable, but that’s the last thing you should feel when looking for a lawyer. You want to make sure your lawyer makes you feel comfortable by being honest with you about their costs beforehand. Keep in mind that a higher cost doesn’t necessarily mean a higher quality defense. Remember to consider how the lawyer in question makes you feel about how they will defend you.

Types of Outcomes

While it is bad practice for lawyers to promise any particular outcome, experienced lawyers should at least have an idea of your case’s possible outcomes. Therefore, it’s best to ask your lawyer the following questions:

• Should I take a plea deal?
• Will the DMV administrative hearing affect the trial or plea deal?
• Are there any alternative charges (like wet reckless driving) that can be found?
• Do previous charges affect the expected outcome of my trial or plea deal?

For your lawyer to most accurately answer these questions, you must come prepared with all the details of your case during the consultation. The more information you bring, the more accurate your DUI’s expected, or likely outcome will be.

If you would like to discuss your DUI charge with an experienced lawyer, call the Law Office of David Leicht at (760)256-3104 for a free consultation today.The Law Office of David Leicht serves the California communities of Barstow, Victorville, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Adelanto, Baker, Needles, Lucerne Valley, Big Bear, San Bernardino, Mojave, Phelan, and Wrightwood.