Being charged with a DUI is a very serious matter. As a result, you need an attorney with the knowledge and experience necessary to give yourself the best chance of success. Selecting the right lawyer entails asking the right questions, which will help you determine whether a particular attorney is best suited for your needs.

Facing a DUI? Ask Your Attorney These 3 Questions

1. How Much Experience Do You Have Defending DUI’s?

When it comes to DUIs, having an attorney with the right experience is extremely important. In addition to a working knowledge of DUI laws, other types of experience are also crucial, such as: How familiar is your attorney with the court system, the prosecutor, and the types of rulings the judge is likely to make? Experience with fact patterns similar to yours—and the outcomes in court for those cases—also matters.  This is important because considering what strategy will work best with your particular set of facts will usually improve your chances for success.

2. How Much Will All This Cost?

The costs of a DUI can add up quickly.  Fines and court costs alone will cost you, as will the legal fees you pay your defense attorney. However, going it alone is not an option when dealing with a DUI.  Ask your attorney about how legal fees are charged. Most attorneys charge a flat fee for defending a DUI. If so, make sure you fully understand which services are included, as you’ll be charged extra for those that do not fall under this umbrella.  Also be sure to talk to your attorney about what to expect as far as court costs and fines and what payments plans the court is, or isn’t, willing to consider.

3. Is a Plea Bargain Possible?

Many DUI’s are resolved by the prosecutor and the defendant reaching a plea agreement, where the defendant makes some admission of guilt in exchange for being allowed to do probation and/or a serve reduced sentence.  Whether it is possible to reach a plea agreement in your case depends on many factors, including the facts of the case and your criminal history. Your DUI attorney should be able to evaluate your case and make recommendations, whether a plea offer is reasonable and whether it makes sense to take your case to trial, and what the likely outcomes of each are.

If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Baldwin County, AL, whether it be Robertsdale, Foley, Fairhope, Daphne, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach or elsewhere, J.P. Coleman Law, LLC is here to help. The attorneys at J.P. Coleman Law, LLC  are committed to providing the aggressive representation you need to secure a favorable outcome in your case. For more information on the services they offer, visit their website. To schedule a free consultation with a skilled and experienced lawyer, give them a call at (251) 947-6247 today.