If you are facing a DUI in SC you need to make sure you have skilled legal representation. Our criminal defense lawyers at Touma Law Group can provide the legal assistance you need to prepare for your DUI trial. If you have been charged with driving under the influence in or around Greenville county, contact us today online or over the phone at 864-618-2323 to schedule an appointment.
Tips to Help You Find the Best DUI Lawyer for Your Case
A DUI conviction can have a tremendous impact on your life. Finding the right DUI attorney for your case is an important decision that you should give careful consideration. After you are arrested you can quickly lose leverage in a case as more time passes. So the hunt for the right legal representation should be done both quickly and intelligently. We aim to give you the information needed to achieve just that.
Throughout the research process you should take notes on attorneys you have looked into. This information should include contact information (address, email, and phone number) as well as anything relevant to the points listed below. This will help you cross-reference your options to find the attorney you feel will be the best fit for your current charges.
Find a Criminal Defense & DUI Lawyer with Experience
Depending on the circumstances of your case you could be facing misdemeanor charges or a felony DUI. You will want someone on your side who knows the process for fighting these charges, has fought them before, and every bit as importantly has won. You need to hire a lawyer with proven legal experience defending against DUIs to give you the best chance at your trial.
Any competent law firm will provide this information upfront and make it as easy for you to find as possible. They will have attorney profiles on their web page to give you background information, case experience, additional certifications, or anything else to show the credentials and experience their lawyers have earned. It can also be helpful to set up a meeting and ask them if they have past experience handling cases similar to yours. How they respond can tell you a lot about their court room history and professionalism.
Find a Lawyer with an Excellent Reputation
You will be putting your future in this person's hands. It is in your best interest to find a Greenville DUI attorney who has earned a top reputation with their past clients. Look for a lawyer with a history of delighted customers and top level service. Most law firms will have a select few reviews directly on their website but dig a little deeper. Turn to the internet for reviews and a quick search should help you determine if they have a track record of excellent service and professionalism, or something less than stellar. These review sites should help you quickly weed out potential attorneys and focus your attention on the standouts.
Find a Lawyer Who Understands the Key Issues
The first thing the hearing officer will look to in your case is whether or not your arrest was lawful. This means they will be presented with information including your blood alcohol content at the time of your arrest and whether you were impaired while driving.
You want to hire a DUI lawyer who will counter these issues. They will be able to give you a complete breakdown of an acceptable defense strategy and then implement it. Your lawyer may use this opportunity to show that the officer used the breathalyzer improperly or failed to conduct a correct field sobriety test.
Meet with Them Face to Face
When you have found an attorney that checks all your boxes find their office hours and schedule a face to face meeting. This can tell you a lot about their preparation and commitment to their clients. You will want to bring any relevant documentation with you as well.
When you first meet with your lawyer, feel free to ask some simple questions to get a better feel for how they fit with your case. Find out if they know any of the officers involved; if they do it can offer an avenue for building a potential defense.
Also, ask them about their caseload. A lawyer trying to handle too many clients at once can easily become overwhelmed, get distracted, and end up dropping the ball on your case. You'll want to find someone who can give personal attention to your case and can work with you as your court date comes closer.
Ask about pricing. There is no need to beat around the bush on this. Hiring a lawyer is a business transaction like any other, and you will want to be clear on the details of this from the onset. Find out if they charge a flat fee vs an hourly rate, ask about separate fees for filing appeals, or anything similar. There should be no surprises on your bill at the end of this whole process.
Find an Attorney Who Offers a Free Consultation
Most law firms will offer a free initial case review to prospective clients. This will give you both the opportunity to find discuss how the case may proceed and run through a first draft for the potential defense of your case. Pay careful attention at this consultation to get an idea of their skills and knowledge of the law.
During this case review, you will get an understanding of what kind of evidence the attorney can bring to trial for you. Providing evidence in your defense will be critical to winning your case. They should also take this opportunity to discuss the consequences you may face if you lose your case, as well as what options you will have afterward for an appeal.
Remember that this is the first meeting in a business relationship between the attorney and yourself. Take it as an opportunity to note their behavior and attitude moving forward. The right lawyer should be professional and knowledgeable while listening to your concerns about the case. This will be a difficult time for you, so a little compassion on their end can go a long way. If you cannot effectively communicate with your attorney, your trial verdict will likely show it. If you decide that you are not comfortable working with them, look for an alternative. It's your future on the line, make the decision that works best for you.
When you show up for your first meeting with the attorney you should be prepared. Write down everything pertaining to your case, such as why you were stopped and the communication that took place between you and the law enforcement officer, and provide that to the lawyer along with other relevant documentation you may have.
Small details can make or break your DUI case, so the more information your attorney has, the better. Above all else, do not lie to your lawyer. They cannot prepare for a case without knowing the facts. It will come back to bite you.
Hire An Experienced DUI Lawyer
At Touma Law Group we have the experience and knowledge to fight your criminal charges in South Carolina. If you have been charged for drunk driving we will help you build aggressive defense strategies to avoid possible jail sentences by providing the best legal representation possible for your case. Contact the Greenville defense attorneys at the Touma Law Group today to schedule an appointment.
