Five Questions You Should Ask a DUI Attorney

 Posted on May 10, 2018 in DUI/DWI

If you have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Illinois, you need a skilled and experienced DUI attorney to handle your case. Finding the right attorney for you is important. An attorney is not one size fits all. Therefore, it is essential to ask any potential DUI attorney questions to ensure that a successful and productive attorney-client relationship will result.

Questions to Ask an Attorney

If you are facing DUI charges, make sure to ask these five questions of any attorney you contact:

1. How much experience do you have handling DUI cases? It is important to have an attorney who has experience handling cases like yours. Experience brings about confidence and a knowledge level that can assist you in your case. Additionally, asking the results of different cases can give you an idea of what could happen in your situation.
2. What is your caseload? It is no secret that attorneys often handle multiple cases at once; it is how they make a living. However, you want to be sure that the attorney has the time and resources available to adequately represent you.
3. Who will actually handle my case day-to-day? The size of a law firm determines the number of attorneys employed at that firm. Additionally, a larger law firm is likely to have a larger number of cases to juggle. As a result, an attorney other than the one you hired may be the one handling your case. Or, support staffmay do the heavy lifting for a case. Alternatively, at a smaller firm, the attorney you hire will likely be the one to handle your case, in addition to help from law clerks and paralegals. Knowing who will be involved in the day-to-day activities of your case is important so that you are always informed of the happenings in your case.
4. How often do you take cases to trial?Manycases are resolved outside of the courtroom. In DUI cases, plea deals often result.Therefore, you need to be sure that your attorney can takethe case all the way to trial if that is the best route.
5. What is the cost of representation? As with any service, attorneys cost money. It is worth spending the money to make sure you have the best possible defense to your DUI charge. However, you need to be aware of the cost before you hire an attorney. There will be a fee agreement between the attorney and client to ensure that both parties know exactly what to expect in terms of fees and expenses.

We Can Help You Today

Asking these questions at the outset of an attorney-client relationship can eliminate potential problems as your case progresses. If you need assistance with your DUI case, do not hesitate to contact a talented Rolling Meadows criminal defense attorney at our firm for immediate help.

Sources:

http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/SupremeCourt/Rules/Art_VIII/ArtVIII_NEW.htm

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-501