What Questions Should You Ask a DUI Lawyer?

Updated on 10/26/2023 / Under

When you are being accused of a DUI offense you should get great legal representation since it is essential for you to get the best possible outcome. How do you know that you have found the right lawyer? The right lawyer for your case will not promise you a sure win. Even so, with the right attorney on your case has a better chance of either being dismissed or getting a lesser penalty. So you can get the best legal representation you should make sure that you ask the right questions during the initial consultation.

If you have been arrested because of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs in Naperville, Illinois it is possible for you to wonder what you should look out for when looking for a great lawyer. Every DUI case is different and it is essential to discuss your case with a lawyer that handles DUI cases just like yours. If you are wondering what questions you should ask a DUI lawyer this article will help guide you.

It is not advisable for you to try and handle a DUI case on your own. DUI cases are sensitive and there are a lot of complex laws involved hence your case would need a lawyer to intervene. When you call to schedule an initial consultation most attorneys will offer you a free initial consultation.

At Naperville DUI lawyers we do not make promises that we cannot keep. Different cases will produce different outcomes depending on the situation and facts surrounding the case. However, even if we can’t make you promises we fight for you. Our fight is aimed at either getting your case to be completely dismissed or making sure you don’t get harsh penalties.

Finding Out More about Your Lawyer

When you hire a lawyer to handle your case you need to make sure that you feel safe in their hands. Safe in that you are confident in their ability to defend your case. DUI cases can be complicated and you need a lawyer by your side that understands what they are doing. The best way to ensure that you can be sure of them is to get to understand them as a lawyer. Here is a list of questions that you can write down to help you ensure that you are hiring the best DUI lawyer.

  • Percentage of their cases that end in a plea deal or end up proceeding to trial
  • Do they have any special training related to DUI case?
  • What their current caseload looks like.
  • When was the last time they handled a DUI case?
  • Can they handle DMV hearings as well as the trial?
What Questions Should You Ask a DUI Lawyer?

The questions are meant to help you determine if the lawyer is experienced enough to handle your case. A skilled attorney that primarily handles your case should have a keen eye for detail while handling your case. Hence you are able to higher your chance of getting a lesser charge. When you know if your case is going to head into trial or if it will be solved in a plea bargain will help you understand your next steps in the coming weeks.

What Type of Outcome Should You Expect?

One of the red alerts that you should look out for while trying to find the best lawyer is a lawyer that gives you assurance of what is to come. A lawyer should not promise you a particular outcome. Even so, they should have a rough idea of how your case should turn out. Here are some of the questions that you can ask your lawyer;

  • Would you recommend your client to take up a plea bargain?
  • If I have had any previous charge would it affect the outcome of the trial or plea deal?
  • Are there any sorts of alternative charges such as reckless driving charges that can be sought?
  • Do you always recommend your clients to take a plea deal?

Giving your lawyer all the necessary information that pertains to your case will hugely affect the kind of answers that the lawyer will give you. The more clearly you present information regarding your case to your lawyer during the initial consultation the more they will be able to speculate the likely outcomes pertaining to your DUI case.

What Should I Expect In Terms Of Fees?

So you can avoid running into financial surprises when you hire a DUI lawyer to ask them questions about the payment. The more complicated your case is the more you will have to pay. In the case where your case ends in a plea deal, you may not have to pay much. When going to trial you will have to incur more costs since a trial case requires a lot more preparation before appearing in court.

Even if the case is complex and an experienced attorney should be able to give you an estimate of how much you will have to pay and how payments should be made.

Most of the time a lawyer will offer two types of payment structures. You can be offered an hourly or a flat fee. A flat fee is whereby the attorney quotes a set amount for your entire case. A flat fee may seem like a lot at times but it can save you money in the long run.

When your lawyer is working on your case under a flat fee payment they are motivated to solve your case as fast as possible. When you hire an experienced DUI attorney that has a proven track record of resolving cases successfully you are likely to spend a bit more. This is because you are paying for the expertise that they possess.

What Questions Should You Ask a DUI Attorney?

Paying an hourly rate means that the set number of hours that the lawyer will work on your case is what you will pay for. This kind of payment structure has a downside. The more your lawyer works on your case the more you will have to pay them. There are unethical lawyers who may take advantage of this situation and end up dragging the case out for a longer time just so you can pay more. The lawyer will have less incentive to work on your case since they are being paid for by the time they spend working on your case.

It is important to have a full understanding of the fee structure and the expectations of payment. Depending on the lawyer you may have to pay the full amount upfront and at times you and the lawyer will work out a payment plan. Most times you may have to pay a deposit that is also known as a retainer fee when the lawyer accepts to work on your case.

Learn More: How a Lawyer Can Help Your DUI

Make Sure You Hire The Best Attorney

You will have to incur a fee for every lawyer you hire and the more experienced the lawyer is the more you will have to pay. However, it does not mean that the most expensive layer will be the one to offer the best legal representation. You should consider a variety of factors before settling on a lawyer to work on your case.

Give our Naperville DUI law firm a call at (630) 425-0250 and we will answer all the questions you have about our DUI attorneys. 

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