Determining the Right DUI Lawyer for You

Determining the Right DUI Lawyer for You

Choosing which San Diego DUI attorney represents you when you are charged with driving under the influence can make or break your defense and is not an easy decision to make. The course of your life can be at stake in a criminal case like this, even if it is your first offense. You can face jail time, heavy fines and even lose your license for a specified amount of time. You want to make sure you have the best defense possible when you face your day in court.

In California, it is imperative to contact a DUI attorney almost immediately after your arrest. Your license will be confiscated at the scene and you will be required to request a hearing with the DMV regarding the state of your license within 10 days. You can request on your own, but a DUI attorney in San Diego can help ensure you get an in-person hearing rather than a phone hearing and will be able to attend the hearing with you to help fight for your license on your behalf.  Of course, you may wonder where you should start in your search for the right lawyer.

It may be tempting to just open the Yellow Pages and pick the first ad you see, but then you can end up with subpar representation. You can use the phone book as one resource, but utilize the Internet as well. The California bar association can also supply you with a list of San Diego DUI lawyers, as well as our lawyers credentials. And your final resource can be recommendations. It may be hard to talk about this type of charge, but there is always a chance someone you know has been through the same thing and can help. Once you have a list of about four or five names, call them and briefly discuss the details of your case. You can often get a feel for an attorney from one phone call, but it is best to meet one or two in person before making a decision. Once you have a meeting, ask questions. Find out his or her success rate and also beware if they make promises that are too good to be true. Up front honesty is what you are looking for. You want a lawyer who will present a good defense, but also let you know what you are up against. If you are facing these serious criminal charges, call a DUI lawyer San Diego today.

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