DUI Lawyer Free Consultations: 10 Questions to Ask
If you are facing a DUI charge in South Carolina, you need to do everything you can to protect yourself. This starts with hiring an experienced, local DUI lawyer to represent you. You have the right to legal representation at every stage of your DUI case, and you need to rely on the advice of someone who has studied the law and knows what it takes to defend you.
When choosing a DUI lawyer, it is important to choose wisely. You only get one opportunity to fight your DUI. If your lawyer isn’t capable of providing effective representation, you could end up facing serious consequences unnecessarily.
Questions You Should Feel Free to Ask During Your Initial Consultation with a DUI Lawyer
So, how do you make an informed decision about your legal representation? Here are 10 questions you should feel free to ask during your initial consultation with a DUI lawyer:
1. How Much Experience Do You Have Handling DUI Cases?
Experience is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a DUI lawyer. Specifically, you want to focus on the lawyer’s experience handling DUI cases in your local area. A lawyer who regularly handles DUI cases will know the law and the available defenses, and a lawyer who handles cases locally will be familiar with the court—and maybe even the specific judge and prosecutor—that will handle your case. If you are facing a DUI charge, you need experience on your side.
2. What Are Your Legal Fees for DUI Cases?
Any lawyer you choose for your DUI case should be able to provide a clear and straightforward explanation of his or her legal fees. You shouldn’t have to wonder how much you are going to pay, and you shouldn’t get any surprise legal bills at the end of your case.
3. Are You Familiar with the Location Where I Got Pulled Over?
In DUI cases, the details matter. If your DUI lawyer is familiar with the location where you got pulled over, this will help your lawyer analyze questions such as: Are the local police known for making questionable traffic stops? Could road or traffic conditions have impacted your performance on the field sobriety tests (FSTs)? These details, among many others, could play a critical role in determining how best to approach your defense.
4. Does It Matter If . . . ?
If you have questions about specific facts in your case, you should be sure to ask them. Does it matter if I felt fine to drive? Does it matter if I had to drive due to an emergency? Does it matter if I waited before getting behind the wheel? Not all facts will have an impact on your defense. But, some will. If there are any facts that you think might be relevant for your DUI lawyer to know, you should bring them up during your free consultation.
5. What Does It Mean If . . . ?
You should also feel free to ask any questions you have about your DUI arrest. What does it mean if you didn’t understand the arresting officer’s instructions for the FSTs or breathalyzer? What does it mean if the arresting officer didn’t read your rights? What does it mean if you couldn’t register a BAC reading? Here, too, the answers to these questions won’t necessarily provide you with defenses. But, in some cases, they will.
6. What Penalties Am I Facing?
An experienced DUI lawyer will be able to clearly explain all of the penalties you are facing as a result of your arrest. South Carolina’s DUI penalties can be severe, especially for repeat offenders. But, even first-time offenders can face fines, jail time, and many other consequences. Understanding what is at stake in your case will help you make informed decisions about your defense.
7. What Are My Options for Avoiding Unnecessary Penalties?
An experienced DUI lawyer will also be able to explain your options for avoiding unnecessary penalties. Regardless of the facts of your case, you have options available. But, the specific options you have available—and the best option for your specific circumstances—depend heavily on what transpired before, during, and after your arrest. During your free consultation, your lawyer should be able to walk you through your options so that you can begin thinking about what to do next.
8. What Are My Chances of Avoiding a DUI Conviction?
No DUI lawyer can guarantee that he or she will be able to help you avoid a conviction. But, an experienced DUI lawyer should be able to provide a rough assessment of the viability of avoiding a conviction based on the facts of your case. If avoiding a conviction is a real possibility, then this is the outcome you should pursue. On the other hand, if avoiding a conviction is unlikely, you may want to focus on negotiating a plea bargain instead.
9. What Are the Next Steps in My Case?
After going over the facts of your case, the penalties you are facing, and the options you have available, your lawyer should be able to provide an overview of the next steps in your case. In South Carolina, the initial stages of a DUI case can move quickly, so it is critical to ensure that you know what you need to do to protect yourself.
10. How Can I Get in Touch With You During My Case?
Finally, you should feel free to ask how you can get in touch during your DUI case. Can you send a text if you have questions? If you call, how soon can you expect to hear back if your lawyer isn’t available immediately? The answers to these types of questions are important as well; and, ultimately, you want to choose a lawyer who can provide the help you need when you need it.
Schedule a Free Consultation with North Charleston DUI Lawyer Rad S. Deaton
Rad S. Deaton is a North Charleston DUI lawyer who has extensive experience successfully defending clients against drunk driving charges throughout the Lowcountry. To schedule a free consultation as soon as possible, call 843-225-5723 or tell us how we can reach you online now.