Posted on June 26, 2024 in DUI

Steps for Finding the Right DUI Lawyer

If you have been arrested for DUI (driving under the influence), you are probably wishing you could go back in time and make it all go away. You likely have very serious criminal charges pending that you will have to confront. You need help figuring out how to proceed. You need to find a DUI lawyer but don’t know where to start.

Here are five steps you can take right now to find the right DUI lawyer to help you move forward.      

Step 1: Look for a Proven Track Record 

As the saying goes, “Nothing breeds success like success.” What will help you most right now is to obtain a seasoned and experienced DUI lawyer who understands your situation and has dealt with similar cases successfully in the past. 

Having a DUI lawyer who is established in the local legal community as a reputable defense attorney with a proven track record of successful outcomes for their clients is a must. This requires more than just finding the lawyer who has done it the longest. You need a lawyer who has done it well.

Research local DUI attorneys. Look closely at their websites. Make inquiries. For how long have they practiced criminal defense? How many clients have they defended successfully? What is their record in court? Their success in the past is likely indicative of their success in the future.     

Step 2: Consider Their Reputation 

A big part of navigating to a successful resolution of your case will be your DUI attorney’s ability to negotiate with prosecutors. Are you choosing a lawyer who is known by their opposing counsel as fair, reasonable, and easy to work with? Or do they have a reputation among their colleagues as difficult in their demeanor, rigid in their demands, and unreasonable in their expectations?

You want your DUI lawyer to be aggressive. But there is a big difference between being aggressive and being a bully. You don’t want a DUI lawyer who is not respected by their peers.

Step 3: Meet With the Candidates

Schedule a consultation with the DUI attorneys you are considering. Explain your circumstances and consider their advice, but be prepared to ask questions as well.

You may be paying this person to work for you, so approach each consultation like an interview. As you meet with each candidate, consider the following questions:

• Do you like this person? Your DUI lawyer doesn’t have to be your best friend, but it is important to feel comfortable with your attorney. You should trust them and feel that you now have someone in your corner. This person may be a very good DUI lawyer, but they may not be the right “fit.”  Be sure you feel good about the DUI lawyer you choose moving forward.
• Do they seem knowledgeable? Your DUI lawyer cannot know the precise outcome of your case, but they should be knowledgeable about the law and the local court procedures. They should be able to explain your options in a DUI case and offer advice.
• Are they confident in your case? Your DUI lawyer should have a clear idea of their goal for you and a plan of attack for achieving it. They should be confident about attaining a reasonable outcome.
• Do they communicate well? Your DUI attorney should be able to explain your situation in a way you understand. You should feel well-informed about the process that lies ahead. They should be responsive to your questions and organized in their explanations. You want a clear understanding of what you should expect moving forward.
• Did they give you the attention you deserve? Your DUI lawyer should be as committed to your case as you are. They should attack your case as they would for any other client. Did they interrupt your consultation to speak to other clients? Did they take phone calls while you were reviewing your case? Will they be accessible when you need them? Your DUI lawyer should be invested in your case and in your future. 

Step 4: Clarify Your Expectations

Before you choose any DUI attorney, be sure you have reasonable expectations about the outcome of your case and about the lawyer who will represent you. 

What are your expectations of a good or bad lawyer? What services do you want your DUI lawyer to provide? How do you expect to be treated? Are you satisfied with their fees and billing practices? How often do you want to be updated with developments in your case?

If your expectations are reasonable, the right DUI lawyer should meet most, if not all, of them. You should feel confident that you and your DUI lawyer are on the same page.  

Step 5: Move Forward and Select the Best DUI Attorney for You

Your relationship with your DUI attorney is going to play a significant role in achieving a positive outcome in your case. Finding the right one is not easy, but you must move forward. 

Take one step at a time:

• Look for someone with a proven track record
• Consider their reputation
• Consult with more than one lawyer and ask questions
• Set reasonable expectations for yourself and your lawyer
• Choose the DUI lawyer who you feel satisfies your expectations

If you follow the five steps discussed here, you should feel confident in choosing the right Phoenix DUI lawyer for you.

Contact the DUI Lawyers at Orent Law Offices, PLC In Phoenix To Get Legal Assistance Today

For more information, contact the DUI attorney Craig Orent. Give us a call at (480) 656-7301 or visit our law office at 11811 N Tatum Blvd UNIT 3031, Phoenix, AZ 85028. We offer a free case evaluation, so get the help you deserve today.