How to Find a Good DUI Lawyer

Fighting DUI charges is expensive, but if you want to avoid jail time for drunk driving, a good lawyer is essential. Many people who face charges for driving under the influence pick the first lawyer they see in the phonebook. But hiring a good DUI lawyer takes more work than just browsing through listings of attorneys with catchy advertisements. Here are some tips for researching DUI defense attorneys.

Starting your search early is crucial to finding a winning lawyer. After you are formally charged, don't wait for even a minute. Procrastinating means you will have fewer options to explore as you prepare for court.

Do an Internet search on the names of DUI lawyers you find in the yellow pages. Look for websites that offer ratings and reviews of local lawyers and law firms. Avoid law firms that have many bad reviews online. Make a note if you see a lot of negative comments about a particular lawyer; this is a person to avoid.

Use local discussion forums to find DUI lawyers who have highly rated and recommended. For example, you could start a discussion thread on your city's craigslist.org page.

Ask friends, family, and colleagues if they can recommend good DUI lawyers. If they know a person who was charged with a similar offense and acquitted, try to get the name of that person's lawyer.

If you work for a company with an on-site legal department, they may have information on reputable law firms in your area. Be as discreet as possible when asking, since you don't want your employer to know about your DUI charges.

Pay attention to radio and television ads for lawyers. When a law firm does a lot of advertising, it means business is good and their lawyers win cases, hence more money to spend on advertising. Call law firms that offer free phone consultations to get an idea of what going to court entails.

When you select a lawyer to represent you for DUI charges, make yourself look presentable for meetings. Make a good impression on the lawyer so that he or she takes your case seriously and works hard to clear the charges.