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​How do I find the right lawyer for my DUI?

​A drunk driving arrest is often the first time someone deals with hiring a lawyer. Without having ever had to face criminal charges before, most people don't know where to start. Finding the right lawyer for your DUI can save you time and money, and make a DUI less painful than expected.

If you have any questions about finding a California DUI defense lawyer who can represent you, talk to an experienced DUI defense lawyer in your area.

Can any lawyer handle my DUI?

In most cases, any lawyer licensed to practice law in the State of California can represent you in your DUI case. However, in reality, most lawyers who deal in other types of law may not want to take on your DUI case.

There are certain areas of law that lawyers tend to focus on and not move around to practice any type of law. For example, someone who deals with writing wills and trusts every day may not know much about the criminal court process. For this reason, you may want to focus your search on lawyers who have a lot of experience in criminal defense and drunk driving cases.

Should I talk to a lawyer who deals mostly with DUIs?

There may be a number of benefits of having a lawyer who deals primarily with DUIs. Drunk driving cases involve specific areas of the law that are unique to DUIs, including chemical testing, police training in drug detection and sobriety tests, and new drug and alcohol testing technology. A lawyer who deals mostly with DUIs will stay up-to-date with the latest changes in DUI law and technology.

Should I talk to the lawyer before deciding if I want to hire them?

Talking to a lawyer before you decide who to hire is one of the most important steps to take. A lawyer may have a great website, lots of advertisements all over town, or convincing commercials. However, when you call up the lawyer, you may get a different impression.

Find out about things that are important to you before you decide who to hire, including:

  • Who is the lawyer who will be handling my case?
  • Can I call or email whenever I have a question?
  • Is the lawyer listening to me and responding to my question or just having a sales pitch?
  • Will the lawyer handle my criminal case and the DMV license hearing?
  • How much will my DUI case cost?
  • How familiar are they with the current DUI laws?

Should I find a lawyer with experience in the courthouse where my case is handled?

It is also important for you to find a lawyer who regularly works in the courthouse where your case will be handled. This way, your lawyer may be familiar with the police officers, prosecutors, and judges involved. Your lawyer may also be able to tell you about specific rules of that court or about certain judges. This kind of inside information can be important for helping you decide the best options in your case.

Is a big law firm better than a small firm?

Some people have the impression that a big law firm is better than a small firm. However, there may be a number of reasons why a small law firm is the right choice for you. Big law firms may bring out their best lawyer to get you to hire them, but then pass your case off to a first-year associate without much experience in handling DUIs just so that lawyer can get some court time.

Big firms may also charge big law firm rates even if they are not doing anything different than what a single-lawyer office would do. If you have a question on the weekend or after office hours, a big-firm lawyer may not be available to answer your questions or be out of town on vacation, where you learn that your case is being passed from lawyer to lawyer and you can't figure out who will be showing up in court on Monday.

A smaller law firm may be able to focus on a certain area of law, like DUI law. A smaller firm will also be more likely to have one person handle your case from beginning to end.

A smaller law firm may also answer your calls at any time of day so you can rest assured that there is a specific person who will show up in court when you need help.

DUI Defense Attorney in the East Bay

East Bay attorney Lynn Gorelick has more than 32 years of DUI experience and understands the local police, prosecutors, and judges. Lynn Gorelick will personally handle your DUI case from beginning to end, and answer your questions at any time. Contact East Bay DUI lawyer Lynn Gorelick today.

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