A DUI can impact your life both financially and with regards to your daily responsibilities. You may be considering whether self-representation or hiring an attorney may each be worth the cost in the short and long term. You may also be concerned about the time and effort required to select the right professional.
The truth is, that while it is legal for you to represent yourself in court, individuals typically have better success with a legal professional, especially one with a history of experience in DUI cases. The following tips will help you determine which attorney may be best for your case.
Why You Need A DUI Attorney For Your Case
Do you really need a DUI attorney at all? While it is true that hiring an attorney costs money on the front end, it is important to keep in mind that being convicted of a DUI can have far-reaching financial consequences.
You may spend 10 or even 20 thousand dollars on your DUI by the time the process is complete, from the fines to other, more hidden costs such as the expense of enrolling in and completing an alcohol safety program, wages lost while completing any mandatory jail time, removing your car from impound and even losing your job. An attorney can help you to minimize costs where possible, and depending upon the details of your case, may even be able to have the charges against you dropped.
Vet Your Attorney Before Agreeing
Examine your chosen attorneys and do further research. Are they local to your area? It is important that they have a history of working in the court system where your case will be heard. Do they have a history of success in DUI cases similar to yours? Learning more about their historical successes and failures can be important in shedding light on how they may manage your case.
Learn About The Planned Strategies And Processes
Contact the attorney(s) on your list to also learn more about how they would approach your issue. Most attorneys are happy to provide you with a quick overview of the strategy that they would take in your situation. Due to client confidentiality issues, the attorneys that you are vetting may not be able to point you directly to a specific case or client that they have represented in the past, but they can still illustrate what strategies have been successful in previous cases.
They can outline the process you can expect, from representing you in court to simpler matters such as by what means you should communicate with the attorney and how often. All of these are important factors to consider to ensure everyone has the same understanding and expectations.
Plan For Attorney’s Fees And Other Factors
Naturally, an important aspect of choosing an attorney will be based on their fees and your budget. Learn more about the attorney’s fees and whether they charge a flat rate for certain services, or if they charge by the hour.
Some may expect a deposit and allow for installments while other attorneys will expect to be paid in full prior to the first court appearance. Now is also the time to learn more about whether the attorney in question will be representing your case, or if they will be assigning your case to another attorney in their firm. Will they be requiring other professionals to assist in the case, and are you billed for those additional services?
All of these can have an impact on your final cost and help you to understand your payment responsibility, when payment is due and how much you should plan for to avoid unexpected costs in the process. The cost to hire an attorney is an investment in experience, time saved and the increased likelihood of reduced penalties. The attorney will also be able to provide guidance in navigating the administrative requirements to regain driving privileges.
Trust The Professionals To Help You Navigate Your DUI Case
Whether you have just been charged with a DUI and are unsure of what to do next, or your court date is pending and you no longer feel confident representing yourself, be sure to select an attorney who you can trust to present your case. The lawyers at The Law Offices of Kermit A. Monge would be happy to help you understand your options and answer any questions that you may have about your DUI and potential next steps.
Contact The Law Offices of Kermit A. Monge to schedule an appointment, allowing you to approach your DUI charge with confidence. They can make an appropriate plan to secure your financial future against the many penalties and costs associated with a DUI.