Being charged with a DUI is not something to be taken lightly. A DUI conviction can have negative consequences that may impact several aspects of your life. From having difficulties finding or keeping a job to being rejected whenever you try to look for housing, having trouble being accepted in an educational program, or losing visitation rights with your kids, your life can turn into something completely unrecognizable and not pleasant. That is why the importance of finding the right DUI lawyer can not be overstated. You need to find a Bellevue DUI Attorney with the right legal experience and a commitment as high as yours to fight for your rights and get these charges dropped or dismissed. Still, how do you go about finding the right DUI lawyer?
Start the Search
You know that finding the greatest defense attorney is critical to deal with the worrisome DUI charges. Not taking the time to find a lawyer who specializes in DUI court can be a mistake that will not give you the results you need. Stay away from someone who gives you the impression that their retainer fee is more important than your defense. You also don’t want to discover, hopefully not when it is too late, that this lawyer is pressuring you to accept a quick guilty plea of DUI supervision without really understanding what that implies. Don’t let this happen to you, and write down a series of important questions you would like your attorney to answer before you agree to hire them. Here are some ideas:
- How many DUI cases have you taken to trial?
- Do you specialize only in DUI law?
- How would you go about fighting for my rights?
- What will you do to build a strong case in my defense?
Getting answers to these and other pertinent questions will not only help you understand if this is the defense lawyer you want to work with, but it will also help you see if you like the way they explain important points and the time they are willing to spend getting to know you and listening to your story. Also, make sure you are informed upfront about their legal fees and costs.
Interview Several Lawyers
Even though you might have been impressed by how the first defense attorney you interviewed talked or treated you, there is no harm in talking to a couple more. With time, you will be able to assess if one of the lawyers was just telling you what you wanted to hear, and you will make a more informed decision.
Ask to Stay Informed
Make sure that your attorney keeps you informed of your case. If you feel they are resistant to keeping you in the loop, you may have to look elsewhere for the right legal representation. You do not want a phone call every five minutes, but you need to be kept abreast of important developments. You want to have a say in any major decision that will affect you.
Start looking for the right lawyer as soon as you can. The more time they have to work on your case before your date due in court, the stronger your defense will be and the better the outcome you may expect.
