When you need a DUI lawyer, you might feel pressured during the selection process. However, asking the right questions eases the tension and helps ensure you are making the right decision. If you’re arrested for a DUI, here are three questions you should ask to help you find the right lawyer to represent you.

3 Questions You Should Ask Potential DUI Lawyers

1. What Is Your Background?

When evaluating DUI lawyers for your case, you want to know their background. You want to select someone who has handled cases similar to yours. Asking them what percentage of their practice involves DUI charges gives you a sense of their qualifications directly related to the obstacles you face.

2. What Are Your Fees & Costs?

Your initial consultation might be free, but representation has a price. DUI lawyers charge either a flat fee or an hourly rate. Find out which applies in your case, what it includes, whether other defense attorneys or paralegals will work on the case, and the rates charged for their work. Your case might involve costs separate from the attorney’s fees, such as for certified court records, medical tests, and expert witness fees. Ask for estimates of fees and costs for a plea or trial. Read and understand your contract before signing it.

3. Do You Have Specialized Training?

Defense attorneys with special training or experience can benefit you. Find out whether the DUI lawyers you interview are familiar with the police officers or prosecutors. If they are, they have a deep understanding of how they think. Additionally, they might have professional relationships that make negotiating pleas and trying cases involving DUI charges go more smoothly. Ask about DUI-related certifications, organization memberships, and continuing legal education courses they take to stay current on the law.  

If you face DUI charges, seek help from Thomas W. Smothers, Attorney at Law, in High Point, NC. Devoted to defending the accused against the powers of the state, attorney Smothers and his legal team offer skilled, zealous, and professional representation, seeking the best possible outcome. Learn more about the firm online, and call (336) 885-1240 to schedule an initial DUI lawyer consultation.