Houston Texas lawyers - attorneys directory
What To Look for When Hiring A DUI Lawyer
Many people who are arrested on a DUI charge are often too scared or too embarrassed to look into hiring an attorney. But, a DUI lawyer can considerably alter the results of your hearing. When deciding to hire a DUI lawyer, many different things need to be considered in order to choose the best one for you.
First off, it is really crucial to find a lawyer who specializes in DUI law, more specifically, DUI law in the state in which you were convicted. Sometimes a lawyer who handles divorce, DUI and bankruptcy cases, on top of many other cases can a good choice, but because DUI law is always changing and an extremely extensive area of law, someone who strictly specializes in DUI is almost always the best way to go.
It is advisable to meet with at least two different lawyers before making your final decision. If you schedule an initial meeting to exchange generic information very few lawyers should charge you at all. Make sure the lawyer you hire has experience all around as well as a proficiency in DUI law. Another important aspect in choosing the best lawyer for you is finding someone who makes you feel comfortable in that initial face to face meeting; this is why initial phone calls to exchange information are not always best. Also it is good to remember that the biggest ad in the yellow pages does not always mean that it's the best lawyer available to you. It only means that that lawyer has paid the most to have the largest ad. A lot of the time it is best to not to look at the yellow pages at all. Instead, check online or at your local library for a copy of a book called the Martindale Hubbel law directory. This directory lists every lawyer in the U.S. as well as their specialties.
Before arriving at your lawyer’s office for the first meeting, it’s good to compile a list of a few questions to ask each lawyer. Each lawyer's answers to these questions will greatly aide in making your final decision. Some good questions to ask are:
* Since you have been taking all my information and listening to my questions, will you be the lawyer with me in the courtroom or will there be someone else at the firm handling my case?
o This question is really important to remember because you may decide you feel completely comfortable and at ease with one particular lawyer and chose to hire him, then come to find out in the end he isn’t even your primary lawyer at all.
* What is the price I have to pay upfront as well as the exact charge whether it be hourly or one complete price? Can you estimate the most I would have to pay?
o Remember that a lot of DUI Lawyers charge hourly while others can simply charge a flat amount even if your case doesn’t go to trial.
o Some may alter their fee structure so as to break down the process into phases. The best thing to do is ask for an exact process and fee structure.
* Are there court costs and filing fees aside from attorney fees that I will be held accountable for?
* What percentage of your cases are DUI or impaired driver cases?
o Don’t forget that you want someone who handles at least 50% DUI cases specifically in the state in which you were convicted.
Houston Texas DWI DUI lawyers and attorneys
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