subject: The Importance Of Hiring An Orange County Dui Attorney [print this page] You will need the help of an Orange County DUI attorney if you have been charged with a Driving Under the Influence misdemeanor. This is an extremely serious offense and, if you are convicted, you are likely to suffer long-term consequences. With a criminal record, your life will be affected negatively in every sense.
An Orange County lawyer who specializes in DUI cases is fully conversant with the laws in the state of California. As such, he or she knows the legal process and court procedures relating to DUI charges. Therefore, this could have a major impact on the success or failure of your case.
You should make an effort to contact an attorney as quickly as possible after the charge has been laid. This is more vital if a person sustained an injury in the incident. In this case, you might have to hire the best lawyer that money can buy. When selecting a lawyer, there are certain factors to bear in mind.
Firstly, your budget plays a big role. A prominent DUI lawyer with a successful case history is not cheap. However, this does not mean that a cheaper lawyer should not be considered. Many excellent lawyers can offer competitive rates because they are self-employed and therefore do not have high monthly overheads.
A good way to make contact with a lawyer is through word of mouth. Speak to family members, colleagues and friends who have recently used an attorney. They may recommend one who has no DUI experience but this person can put you in contact with others. You could also get hold of the local bar association for a list of specialist lawyers.
Then, of course, there's the internet. There is a big database of DUI attorneys who operate in Orange County. Visit a number of websites, read reviews and ratings, then make a short-list of potential lawyers. The next step is to call each of their offices and book a consultation.
This is an excellent way to assess how you and the lawyer interact. It is of the utmost importance that the two of you gel well and that you have confidence in his or her capabilities. For this reason, many legal firms are prepared to offer the initial consultation for free. Explain the details of your charge and find out how the attorney plans to defend you.
Don't make any decisions until you have consulted with all the possible candidates. This will enable you to keep an open mind until the time comes to make a choice. Weigh up what each had to say about your case, and take into account their fees, experience, qualifications and their success rate. Don't ignore your gut instinct when making your decision. Remember that this is the person who is going to fight on your behalf.
Being faced with a drinking under the influence charge is not something to be taken lightly in any circumstances. But, with an Orange County DUI attorney, you will have a better chance of getting a lighter fine. If the charge is your first offense, this could be a mitigating factor that could convince the court to drop the charge.
