The truth is you can’t hire “the best” San Luis Obispo DUI lawyer, but you can hire the best DUI attorney for you.
There are a lot of experienced DUI attorneys who do good work for their clients but they might not be good for you. There are ways to tell if a lawyer knows how to handle your DUI case. More importantly they will let you know if you can trust them with your future. DUI charges are serious. A DUI can lead to be a life changing even and the repercussions can last. This adds more pressure on you find the lawyer that has the experience and knowledge you need. One who knows the goal is to to get you the best outcome possible and minimize the impact on your life.
So what things should you consider when hiring a DUI Lawyer in San Luis Obispo?
Transparency
Defending a DUI charge can be expensive. You can expect to pay your attorney and court fees. In addition you will have to deal with the DMV hearing within 10 days of your DUI ticket and pay the DMV reinstatement fees in order to get your license back. So finding a lawyer who maintains a transparent and straightforward fee structure so you know going in what it is going to cost.
Your DUI attorney should give you with a clear explanation of their costs, if they are charging a flat fee or an hourly rate and how that will work. The DUI attorney should explain their retainer fee and how fees will work if you go to trial. They should explain what if any extra fees could be charged and how much court costs you are likely to pay.
Every case is unique but here at Tri Counties Criminal Defense we will represent you against DUI charges in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Ventura for somewhere between $1,800 and $2,900. We will agree an all inclusive flat fee, which will include representing you at the DMV hearing.
Promises
They promise they can win. Any lawyer telling you they can predict the outcome of a case is a lawyer to avoid. No DUI lawyer has total control over what will happen and a guarantee is not helpful. A DUI attorney should explain what is most likely and also what can likely go wrong in the process. You should have a very firm grasp of the best and worst scenario. Sugar coating and false hope are two things to avoid.
Experience
Can your DUI attorney reference other cases like yours? Did they win them? If they have never dealt with a case similar to yours walking away is your best option.
Discuss the specifics of your case. Do not be afraid to ask if they have dealt with this before. They should also be asking you questions about the situation such as was there a child in the car? Did your DUI involve drugs? Did you complete a field sobriety test or a chemical test? Was your vehicle searched? Was your license already suspended for something else? An seasoned DUI lawyer has been through all of these situations before.
Veteran attorneys work with judges and prosecutors every day. Ask if they know the prosecutor? Have the worked with them before? While the law is adversarial it is also cooperative. The goal is to minimize the impact on your life and get you back to normal life as quickly as possible.
If you have been charged with a DUI in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Ventura, let us help you.
The best DUI attorney for you will be local, have a transparent fee system, have extensive experience, and will not make promises they can’t keep. The best DUI attorney will care about getting your life back to normal quickly with minimal impact.
Call Tri Counties Criminal Defense on 805 202 5177 or click any of the contact buttons on this page to get your free consultation scheduled.
