Choosing the Right DUI Lawyer in California

California is a beautiful state, but it has some tough laws again driving while intoxicated.  If you find yourself charged with a DUI, it’s imperative you find the right attorney.

Step one will be to find an attorney who specializes in DUI.  Like anything in life there are some lawyers who are better than others and you’ll want to find one who can defend your DUI charge as well as possible.  It might spell the difference between a fine and jail time or the loss of your license.  By choosing a lawyer who spends his/her time solely on DUI cases, you’ll be choosing a specialist who knows that part of the law in detail.  Find out if your perspective attorney is a specialist in DUI, or if they are general practice attorneys.

With the Internet and websites, it’s possible to find out a lot of details about an attorney and their firm, prior to ever talking with them.  For instance does their website post case results?  And if so are they verifiable.  Find out the specifics of the cases they tried and whether the case was won, lost or dismissed.

Determine if your attorney has a national reputation concerning DUI defense.  That is of course easily said, but difficult to find out, so ask.  Ask for referrals, speak with other attorneys, perhaps you know someone who was charged with a DUI and if so ask them who they would recommend.

You’ll want to choose a local attorney if at all possible, someone who is familiar with how things operate locally.  While the law is the law, different areas have their own way of doing things and you’ll want someone who is known and respected locally.  In California and San Diego since celebrities are often involved, you’ll want an attorney who understands the ins and outs of the law and can examine and use what’s written “between the lines”.

Often you’ll find there are organizations that will hire attorneys to speak at functions; determine if the attorney you are considering has had speaking engagements that centered on the topic of DUI.  Is there continued legal training in DUI?  Depending on the area of the country you live in, there is; has your attorney of choice attended these classes?  Even better, have they taught any of the classes?  You’re looking for an attorney who is an expert on the subject of DUI and can use every bit of their experience to help you and your situation.

Have you heard of the Standard Field Sobriety Test?  Most of us have but do you know if your attorney is certified as an instructor and practitioner?  Find out, the more they know the better they can serve you.  Look for the letters “NHTSA” (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) on their website or handouts.

While all of this might seem involved and tedious, realize that the person you choose to represent will have a very real impact on the next several years of your life.  If they perform above expectations, you can think of them kindly as you drive down the road.  Should they perform below expectation, you may rue the day you choose them as you serve time, pay fines and beg for rides having lost your license.