Questions to Ask a DUI Lawyer During Your Free Consultation

If you are facing a DUI charge in Pennsylvania, your choice of legal representation matters. So, how do you choose the right lawyer to represent you?

10 Questions to Ask During Your Free Consultation with a DUI Lawyer

Once you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), you will want to speak with a DUI lawyer as soon as possible. You should be able to schedule a free consultation promptly, and part of the reason why this consultation is free is because it is your opportunity to decide if the lawyer you’ve contacted is the right choice to handle your case.

With this in mind, you will want to come to your free consultation prepared with a list of questions. While you should feel free to ask any questions you may have, the following are 10 questions that will help you make an informed decision about your legal representation:

1. How Much Experience Do You Have Handling DUI Cases?

Experience is undoubtedly one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a DUI lawyer to represent you. Not just any experience, but relevant experience. As a result, during your free initial consultation, you will want to ask specifically about the lawyer’s experience handling DUI cases in Pennsylvania.

2. Do You Focus Your Practice on Defending Clients in Court?

While some lawyers handle divorces, estate planning, business disputes, and criminal cases, other lawyers focus specifically on defending clients in court. When choosing a lawyer to represent you in your DUI case, you will want to think carefully about whether you want to choose a lawyer who handles all types of legal matters or a lawyer who devotes 100% of his or her time to helping clients avoid unnecessary consequences after being arrested for DUI and other crimes.

3. Can I Read Your Client Reviews?

Some lawyers post their client reviews online, and some do not. During your free consultation, you should feel free to ask if the lawyer has any client reviews that you can read to help you with your decision. Although past results do not guarantee future success, if past clients have consistently been happy with their experience, this is generally a sign of what you can expect as well.

4. Do You Have a Good Rating on AVVO and Martindale?

Along with asking about a lawyer’s client reviews, you should also feel free to ask about his or her ratings. Clients can post ratings on AVVO.com, while Martindale.com is one of the most-trusted sources for peer reviews in the legal community.

5. How Can You Defend Me Against My DUI Charge?

To determine what defenses you have available, your DUI lawyer will need to thoroughly evaluate the details of your case. However, an experienced DUI lawyer should be able to provide a general overview of the types of defenses that are on the table during your free consultation. Based on the information you provide, your lawyer should be able to provide a preliminary assessment of the defenses he or she may be able to assert on your behalf—subject to a more in-depth review of the relevant facts and circumstances.

6. Should I Consider a Plea Bargain?

Sometimes, the best approach to a DUI case is to seek a plea bargain. If the facts and circumstances of your case are such that you are at high risk for facing a conviction at trial, then seeking to resolve your case before trial could be your best option.

With that said, your lawyer should not automatically target a plea bargain in your case. You need a lawyer who is prepared to negotiate if this is in your best interests, but who is also prepared to fight for you if you have viable defenses available.

7. Should I Consider Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD)?

Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) is another option for resolving a DUI case in Pennsylvania without going to trial. If you are eligible for ARD and you complete the program successfully, your DUI charge will be dismissed—regardless of whether prosecutors have the evidence they need to prove your guilt in court. An experienced DUI lawyer should be able to help you determine your eligibility and then walk you through the steps involved in deciding whether this is the best approach to your case.

8. What Are My Chances of Success if I Fight My DUI at Trial?

While your lawyer will need to evaluate all of the details of your case in order to assess your chances of beating your DUI in court, your lawyer should be able to provide a preliminary assessment based on the details you are able to share. At this stage, an experienced lawyer will make clear that this is a preliminary assessment only, that there are no guarantees, and that he or she will need to gather additional evidence before he or she can provide accurate legal advice.

9. What Are the Risks if I Am Found Guilty at Trial?

Understanding the penalties you are facing in your DUI case is important. But, it is also challenging—because Pennsylvania’s DUI laws are more complicated than the laws in many other states. An experienced DUI lawyer should be able to explain all of the consequences you will face if you are found guilty at trial.

10. How Much Will You Charge Me?

Finally, you should feel free to ask how much you will pay for your legal representation if you hire the lawyer to represent you. You have the right to know how much your legal representation will cost you, and any lawyer you choose should be 100% transparent about his or her legal fees.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Stroudsburg DUI Lawyer Brian C. Jordan

Do you need a DUI lawyer in Pennsylvania? If so, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. To schedule a free consultation with Stroudsburg DUI lawyer Brian C. Jordan, call us at 570-282-9485 or contact us online today.