How To Find a Good DUI Lawyer

Did you know you have rights even when you've been arrested for a DUI? You do. And the best way to protect those rights is to hire a good DUI lawyer.

We live in a complicated and busy world, and you may be wondering how you go about finding the right attorney for your needs. You definitely want someone who will aggressively and knowledgeably work on your behalf.

The first place to start is not by asking your grandmother or your Scout leader. But you're on the right track because a personal referral is a very good place to find one. Make sure it's a referral from someone you know and trust so you won't be steered wrong. Sad to say, you probably won't have to look too far to find someone who has been arrested for this offense.

Here are some other great places to look:

- Your family attorney.

- A police officer.

- A court clerk or bailiff at your local courthouse. They see attorneys work every day so they ought to know the good versus the bad ones.

- The Internet.

By all means, do NOT call your local bar association for a referral. Mainly because they will most likely hand you over to the next man or woman on the referral list. That person may very well be a great choice, but you just don't know for sure.

As for the Internet, with a little research on your part, much can be learned about what you've gotten yourself into with your arrest. Also, what credentials should you look for in a good DUI lawyer. There are attorney membership directories online which will give you the names of attorneys all across the nation.

By all means, do NOT hire an attorney who does nothing but brag about what he can and will do for you. You know the old saying - "actions speak louder than words." Results can't be predicted so don't let anyone tell you upfront they can be.

Be sure all fees you will be charged are set down in writing in a contract between you and the attorney. Don't be afraid to ask if the fees are final. You don't want to be surprised at the end of your case with a heftier bill than expected. A good attorney will be forthright from the beginning about the fees he charges, and he will not mind you asking.

One more super way to find the right attorney is to find out what law school he attended. Is it reputable? Is he board-certified? And check his past records to be sure there's no complaints against him. You can do this by checking with your state's bar association.

This will be a challenging time of your life. It's the job of a DUI lawyer to make sure your rights are protected, but it's your job to find the best man, or woman, to do just that.