A lot of people don’t like to be on the criminal justice system’s defensive side. Sadly, though, there may come a time when you will find yourself on the wrong side of the law. The good thing, however, is that our judicial system assumes that one is innocent until proven guilty. So, what does this mean? It simply implies that anyone who’s been indicted of a crime, be it manslaughter or a simple DUI, reserves the right to defend him/herself. To find the right defense, it is vital that you find a reliable and professional attorney. When looking for a legal professional to represent you, there are a couple of things that you need to consider. These include:
1. Education
It is worth noting that there are 200+ law schools in America approved by ABA or the American Bar Association. With that being said, it is important to keep in mind that they are not necessarily all equal. Finding out more about an attorney’s level of education is never something that most legal professionals take personally. However, if the person you are approaching has a problem with this, then be very cautious; this is a good reason to question the individual’s education credentials.
2. Related Experience
Finding out more about an attorney’s experience shouldn’t be the only thing that you consider when looking for an attorney you can depend on. The lawyer you are considering could be one who’s never lost a case; however, if he or she has never handled a DUI case before, it is likely that he or she is not the right person to approach. It is vital to ensure that the person you hire has some experience when it comes to dealing with your specific legal problem.
3. Certification
While certification is not required in some states, there are those that require attorneys to be certified. Certification means that the individual has gone through extensive training in specific areas of the law that legal professionals aren’t typically expected to study.
4. Main Attorney
It is vital that you take the time to know which attorney will be handling your case. It’s not uncommon for people in need of legal services to meet with an attorney during the initial consultation only to learn that the firm’s junior attorney will be handling the case. It is, therefore, advisable that you find out who will be handling your litigation.
5. Good Communication
As a person in need of legal services, it is essential that you find out more about who you will be dealing with most of the time. You will be surprised to learn that this could be anyone from the lawyer himself to a paralegal. It is vital that you are comfortable with the answer you get before moving forward.
6. Possible Outcomes
A professional attorney should be able to let you know about the potential outcomes of your case. For instance, if yours is a DUI case, your lawyer should tell you that the court could find you not guilty and release you, could find you guilty and suspend your license, jail you, or fine you, or could drop all charges made against you. Therefore, ask your attorney about their view on the most likely outcome. According to a well-known DUI law firm, attorneys could tell you if the police violated your rights or if you have a case on hand after they’ve investigated your case.
7. Best Communication Methods
If you are eyeing a specific attorney, find out more about how you will be communicating with them. This could be through letters, emails, or calls. Just settle for an option that will best suit your needs. The important thing is that you go for someone that offers you a clear line answer on the best mode of communication.
8. Billing Assurances
Billing legal services can, sometimes, be a bit complex. That is why it’s important that you discuss with your preferred attorney before hiring him or her. How do they bill their services? Is it a flat fee or do they charge by the hour? If they charge hourly, how do they bill the portions of an hour? Are phone calls and email counted as billed time?
Finding and hiring the right attorney is important even for crimes like DUIs that occur frequently (there about 1.4 million DUI arrest each year). Even such need the services of an experienced lawyer to enjoy the best defense. The good thing is that even in times when the evidence is quite insurmountable, like breathalyzer results, a professional and experienced attorney could find a way to exonerate you. In conclusion, simply finding out more about an attorney could mean the difference between exoneration and conviction.