HOW DO YOU CHOOSE THE RIGHT DUI LAWYER FOR YOUR CASE?
When you are facing a DUI charge you have a lot on the line. Your reputation, criminal record, driver’s license, even your freedom are all at stake. You need an attorney that has experience and specialized training on your side. DUI law is an ever changing area of the law with continually evolving case law, complex scientific testing devices and voluminous data and law enforcement training manuals available. In short, there is a lot of information to know and apply when it comes to properly defending a DUI charge.
When it comes to choosing the best lawyer to defend your DUI charge these are some credentials to look for and consider. (Click Links to See Certifications)
1) National College of DUI Defense: College Members represent the most experienced DUI Defense attorneys in the county. The National College of DUI Defense is an invite only non-profit organization aimed at improving the criminal defense bar and to educating the public about DUI defense law as a specialty area of law practice.
2) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Certification: DUI defense lawyers that have participated in this training are certified to administer and interpret the standard filed sobriety tests to NHTSA standards. Less than 1% of practicing attorneys have received this specialized training. The NHTSA program is the exact same program that law enforcement officers take. The certification takes 21 classroom hours to obtain and encompasses in depth training on the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Test, Walk and Turn Test and the One Leg Stand Test.
3) Science of Breath Testing Course Certificate: DUI defense attorneys that have participated in this course have spent time working with the equipment law enforcement uses to administer breath tests on drivers suspected of DUI. If your lawyer has participated in this training then they have an advanced knowledge of how breath test machines work, what faults the machines have, what maintenance the machines require and what protocols an officer must follow to correctly administer the test.
4) American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys: Members of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys have received advanced level training on the strategies that win the most DUI cases at trial and are also used to get DUI cases successfully resolved for the defense prior to trial. Members of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys also have access to the resources and tools that are used to win and successfully resolve DUI cases. The resources and tools AAPDA members have, only a very small percentage of DUI attorneys have access to and use including law enforcement manuals, testing protocols and validation studies.
5) National Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 Trial Lawyers: The top 100 is an invitation-only organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from each state or region who meet stringent qualifications as criminal defense trial lawyers. Selection is based on a thorough multi-phase objective and uniformly applied process which includes peer nominations combined with third-party research. Membership is extended only to the select few of the most qualified attorneys from each state or region who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile measured by objective and uniformly applied standards.
6) Superlawyers Designation: Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. The objective is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel. Since Super Lawyers is intended to be used as an aid in selecting a lawyer, we limit the lawyer ratings to those who can be hired and retained by the public.
What else to consider when hiring a DUI lawyer.
Client Reviews: Do your research. Usually a quick web search will reveal reviews of most attorneys. Reviews that past clients leave will often be the best resource for a person seeking to hire an attorney. Look for reviews that focus on client communication, trial results and knowledge of the law.
Attorney Endorsements/Referrals: Just like you know the best in your business, most attorneys know the best in their business. If you have a relationship with an attorney, even one that doesn’t work on DUI cases, give them a call and ask for a referral. Aside from your personal relationships, do your research, there are dozens of websites where attorneys will review other attorneys.
Top things to look for when hiring a DUI lawyer in Overland Park Kansas
Common Sense: You are going to be working with your attorney for months on your case. You should like your attorney. Your attorney is the only person in your corner. It’s always best to work with someone that you can trust, has patience and listens to you. If you trust what your attorney is telling you, the decisions you have to make during the course of your case will be easier, you won’t later be second guessing if you did the right thing. If your attorney has patience you will get a comprehensive answer to your questions in words you can understand. If your attorney listens to you he will have a better understanding of not only the facts of your case, which will help him better defend you.