Choosing a DUI defense lawyer for your DUI charge can be tricky as well as confusing, especially for those who have no prior drunk driving charge or conviction on their record. It is important that a defense attorney is chosen with care and after some research so you know that he/she will be able to defend you in court successfully. Here are some tips to help you find a DUI attorney in any State without getting in trouble:

Go for a DUI defense lawyer, not just any lawyer

This is the first and most important thing to consider; do not treat all lawyers equal. DUI is a specialized field, which comes under criminal law, and needs the services of a specialized DUI defense lawyer. Therefore, make sure you hire a DUI attorney in the state where you have been charged with drunk driving.

Check for books and articles written by the attorney

Publishers usually publish the work of those who are experienced in their field and have several years of experience. A newbie lawyer or attorney will not have enough confidence and knowledge to write books or articles in his field and have them published. You should know that the work of attorneys and lawyers is recognized and used by judges to improve their expertise in the particular field. Therefore, go with a firm or lawyer who has successfully written a dozen of articles or publications on DUI laws.

Ask and check for experience

When it comes to defending DUI cases, experience is the most important thing to consider when looking for a capable DUI defense lawyer or firm. If you plan to go with a firm, ask them about their associates and how experienced they are. On the other hand, a lawyer should be able to give you figures about the number of felony trials they have handled, DUI convictions and so on. The more experience a firm or lawyer has, and that too in the area where you have been charged, the better they will be.

Check if the lawyer is specially trained in DUI Field Sobriety Testing

A capable lawyer will most likely have taken a police training course for Standardized Field Sobriety Testing in accordance with the rules set by NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). If the lawyer who is representing you is not trained in DUI Field Sobriety Testing, then he / she will have little knowlegde about how to defend you if you are facing a loss of your driving privileges by failing a field sobriety test. Therefore, it is important that you hire a lawyer who has taken a 3 day police course for Field Sobriety Testing.

Choose a nationally recognized lawyer

As already mentioned, choose your defense lawyer wisely, especially if you are facing a DUI charge for the first time. A good lawyer can prevent the charge from becoming a conviction and leaving a horrible mark on your record. Just like you would want to go to the best doctor to get treatment for an illness, you should hire a nationally recognized DUI lawyer to handle your case.

Choose a lawyer who is a member of the National College for DUI Defense

NCDD (National College for DUI Defense) is a recognized national organization for committed DUI defense lawyers. NCDD only accepts a lawyer or attorney who has been recommended by at least 2 judges or lawyers as a specialist in DUI defense. If your lawyer is not an active member of NCDD, you may have to reconsider your option.

Does your lawyer understand your concerns?

This is another very important thing to consider when hiring a DUI lawyer for your case. You should personally meet the lawyer and discuss all the points of your case with him/her in detail. If your lawyer is too busy or does not have time to discuss your concerns with you, you will end up with a weak defense. You and your lawyer must be comfortable with each other and should plan out a defense strategy together.

Look for client testimonials

You can only be sure about your lawyers capabilities if he/she shares their client testimonials or provide you appraisals. In most cases, you can easily find testimonials and comments about DUI lawyers online on websites like My DUI Attorney, helping you in your search for a capable defense attorney.

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