You’ve been pulled over for suspicion of driving under the influence, and now you need to find yourself a DUI lawyers in Van Nuys to help you with your case. Whether it’s your first DUI or you’ve already been convicted of this crime before, don’t assume that hiring the first lawyer you come across is going to be the right move
One of the most difficult situations that you can find yourself in, particularly if you’re under 21, is getting arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). If you’re charged with this crime, having the best DUI lawyers in Van Nuys working on your case will make it much easier to avoid harsh penalties like jail time and hefty fines.
Role of DUI Lawyer in Van Nuys
If you’ve been charged with driving under the influence, and need to hire an attorney who’s well-versed in these cases, it’s important to know what role your legal representative will play.
Van Nuys DUI lawyers provide expert legal counsel and representation; however, it is up to their clients (that’s you) to help ensure their case ends with a positive outcome. It is thus up to you to make sure your lawyer knows about your situation and background at every step of proceedings.
Here are 10 tips to help you hire the best DUI lawyers in Van Nuys to defend you.
1) Decide Between Hiring an Attorney or Fighting Your Own Case
Although hiring an attorney can be expensive, some people are ultimately able to fight their own case successfully. Each individual is different, but it’s important to weigh both options before deciding on what you think will work best for your circumstances.
The good news is that if you decide to hire an attorney, there are ways to cut down on costs—for example, asking if they can take your case on contingency. But keep in mind that some attorneys won’t take DUI cases unless they have high success rates. If you do hire an attorney or are even looking at doing so, make sure it’s someone who has experience with fighting similar cases and has won them before.
2) Use These Questions to Narrow Down the List
Think about your incident and ask yourself: Did I do anything illegal? Could I face criminal charges? and, Could I lose my license? These questions will be your guide for finding a DUI lawyer. Do you need to hire an attorney if you were only pulled over?
You should consult with an attorney if there is even a possibility that you could be charged with drunk driving. If you answered yes to any of these questions, then there is no doubt that hiring an attorney to represent you will greatly improve your chances of winning or resolving your case in court.
3) Read Their Reviews
When you’re looking to hire a DUI lawyer in Van Nuys, start by doing some research and reading reviews. Find out how many cases similar to yours an attorney has handled and what kind of results they obtained. Also, don’t just ask friends or family for recommendations; if they aren’t familiar with hiring an attorney, their opinion won’t be as helpful as someone who is experienced. Try searching online reviews as well as asking your local bar association for references.
Once you find DUI lawyers in Van Nuys you like, make sure he or she is licensed to practice law in your state; you wouldn’t want to hire someone who isn’t qualified! You can do so by contacting your state’s bar association and checking his or her credentials through your state’s secretary of state’s office.
4) Look at Their Track Record
There are several ways to evaluate a DUI lawyer in Van Nuys track record. Personal experience is one of them, but you can also check with your state bar association and consumer-review websites like Yelp and Avvo. You should also be able to search online databases that list information on attorneys and their histories.
One such database is Westlaw, an electronic legal research system that allows you to search court cases and attorney records using name or city as keywords. You can also conduct regular Google searches by looking for DUI lawyers in Van Nuys reviews or simply searching DUI lawyers plus your city’s name (without quotes). The more exposure your potential lawyer has had in courtrooms, local community centers, lecture halls or any other public venue, the better!
5) Check Out Their Location & Office Hours
The best DUI lawyers in Van Nuys know that work/life balance is essential to providing excellent service to their clients. After all, how can you provide representation if you’re not there? Plus, it’s important to build strong relationships with clients so they feel comfortable sharing information about what happened. To do that, an attorney has to be present and available at times other than right before court or during business hours.
Look for DUI lawyers in Van Nuys who have office locations convenient to your home or workplace and check their hours of operation—you should be able to reach them after-hours. How many times have you wanted someone’s number late at night only to realize they didn’t give it out? On top of that, be sure your lawyer will show up on time.
6) How Long Has This Firm Been Around?
It’s always best to hire an attorney who has been around for at least a few years and has consistently represented clients like yourself. This type of attorney will be able to craft a unique defense that reflects his or her knowledge of local courts, prosecutors, and judges.
You can get a sense of how long an attorney has been practicing by checking their website, reading their online reviews, and asking other sources. In general, it’s not safe to trust someone who hasn’t been practicing law very long.
7) Will They Come to Court for You?
It’s important to know if your DUI lawyer in Van Nuys will actually show up to court with you. If you’re planning on pleading guilty, then it shouldn’t matter too much if they can’t make it, but if you plan on fighting your charges then you want someone there that knows what they’re doing.
You might also consider hiring a lawyer that is willing to go to trial over one that thinks all cases should be pleaded out. In some cases, pleading out may not be your best option and even if it is, hiring someone who will show up and fight for you may be more worth it than saving a few dollars upfront.
8) Do They Have Any Experience with Your Specific Charge?
What fees are included in your fee structure? Most reputable Van Nuys DUI lawyers will have an open and upfront pricing policy, but you can always ask about what’s not included. For example, most standard cases won’t require expert witnesses (which can add several thousand dollars), but if yours is more complex you’ll want to make sure that won’t be an additional cost.
Other important questions include: Will they provide you with an itemized bill at the end of each month? Do they charge any extra fees for basic services like reviewing documents and calls? And if they offer a free consultation, don’t be afraid to take them up on it—but make sure you book your appointment well in advance.
9) What’s their Fee Structure?
First and foremost, you should always know how much it will cost to hire your attorney. Different attorneys have different fee structures. Some have low hourly rates but charge more for certain aspects of their service, such as depositions or filing fees.
Others may charge a flat retainer up front, which can help make your legal costs predictable from start to finish. The only way to find out how much an attorney will cost is to ask about their individual fee structure. Also make sure that you fully understand what will be included in that price before signing on with them, and clarify whether they accept payment plans or offer discounts if you pay your fees all at once.
10) Get Two Free Consultations Before Choosing One
There are no one-size-fits-all DUI lawyers in Van Nuys or law firms; it can take some time to find an attorney who is not only qualified, but also a good fit with your personality and goals. If you’re seeking representation for a serious DUI charge, make sure you’re getting enough consultations before making your final decision; not all lawyers take on all cases, and it’s important to keep looking until you find one that works well with you. That way, you know what to expect as far as costs and results go—and how much work needs to be done. It’s critical to feel comfortable working with any DUI lawyer in Van Nuys or law firm, so do what it takes to feel confident in whoever ends up representing you.
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