Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Tampa DUI Defense Lawyer
If you've been arrested for a DUI, hiring the most qualified DUI attorney for your case will be one of the most important decisions that you make about your case.
So what should you look for when hiring your Tampa DUI lawyer? Just like selecting the right doctor for a serious medical procedure, you don’t want to hire just anyone to handle your case.
Not all attorneys are created equal.
You deserve a dedicated professional, an experienced Tampa DUI defense attorney with DUI-specific qualifications and courtroom experience.
As I said, not all lawyers are equal.
Some are dedicated to DUI defense, and commit 100% of their practice to helping people who have been accused of DUI.
Others are "dabblers" and commit a portion of their practice to DUI defense, but don't exclusively help people in situations like yours.
Still others have no idea what they're doing, and pick up the occasional DUI case to help a friend or because they need the money.
Some know all the ins and outs of DUI defense. They have breath test machines in their offices, they read the daily updates, and they live and breathe this stuff.
Others have no idea what problems can arise with the breath test and have no understanding of how to prove the FST's were administered incorrectly.
How can you tell the difference?
They all look alike, they all have the same type of law degree, and they all say they're great... How can you tell the difference between the best Tampa DUI attorney and the worst one?
It's easy... But only if you know what to look for and what questions to ask.
To help, this section includes critical questions that you must demand straight answers to before hiring your Tampa DUI lawyer.
If the DUI lawyer you’re talking with waffles even the slightest bit when answering these questions, can’t answer the questions, or tries to tell you that the questions aren’t important, you should say, “Thanks for your time,” and hang up the phone or walk out of their office. Your case is too serious to waste time talking with someone who won’t be completely honest and straightforward with you.
Your case is serious, and you don’t want a cheerleader for a lawyer, someone who tells you that everything is “roses and sunshine” during the initial interview, and then changes their story completely when your case goes to court and tells you to plead “guilty” because they ignored the bad facts and issues in your case, or (even worse), failed to recognize the negative issues in the first place. You deserve a lawyer who will be honest with you, who will take a “No B.S.” approach, and who will tell you THE TRUTH about your case.
THE TRUTH
Your lawyer shouldn’t tell you what you want to hear.
Your lawyer should tell you how things really are.
Remember, when you’re interviewing a qualified DUI lawyer, it’s not a one-way street. The lawyer is also interviewing you, to see if they want to take your case. The good lawyers don’t have to take every case that walks in through the door. But if you show that you’re prepared and committed to seeking the best legal representation available, you’ll have a better chance of convincing the lawyer to take your case.
When speaking with your potential DUI lawyer, you must ask questions. Qualified DUI lawyers will welcome your questions, because it’s a sign that you’ve done your homework and are taking your case seriously. The only lawyers afraid of these questions are the unqualified ones, because they know they won’t be able to give you satisfactory answers. In this section, you’ll find some of the critical questions that you should ask before hiring any DUI defense attorney.
Here are the questions you MUST ask before
choosing your Tampa DUI attorney:
“Are You a Member of the National College for DUI Defense?“
Learn why membership in the National College for DUI Defense is critical to determining whether or not a potential lawyer is qualified to handle your Tampa DUI defense.
“Who will REALLY be
handling my case?”
Shameful lawyer secret revealed: The lawyer you speak with on the phone may never handle your case again! Make sure you speak with a Tampa DUI lawyer who will really handle your case.
“What was the last DUI defense seminar you attended?”
DUI defense is constantly changing and evolving. Learn what programs your lawyer should be attending to keep up-to-date on the latest DUI defenses. (Make sure you also ask, “Were you there as a student, or as an instructor?”)
“What percentage of your practice focuses on DUI cases?”
Some lawyers "dabble" in DUI defense, while others dedicate their entire practice to DUI. Learn the signs for identifying if a Tampa DUI lawyer dedicates their entire practice to DUI defense.
“How many cases have you
taken to jury trial?”
Learn why jury trial experience (or lack thereof) should play an important role when deciding whether a Tampa DUI lawyer should handle your case.
“How many years have you
been practicing law?”
It's important to hire an attorney with experience, but not all experience is created equal. Learn why the Tampa DUI lawyer handling your case should have significant DUI experience.
“Were you ever a DUI prosecutor?”
Learn why your DUI defense may benefit from hiring a Tampa DUI attorney who is a former DUI prosecutor, and how to evaluate their DUI prosecution experience
“Do you limit the number of DUI clients you represent?”
Learn why the best Tampa DUI lawyers limit the number of DUI clients they accept, and why accepting too many clients can sabotage your chances of winning.
“Have you ever been disciplined by the Bar?”
Learn why your Tampa DUI defense lawyer MUST have a clean disciplinary history and how to check a DUI lawyer's disciplinary records online.
“What are the potential costs (experts, trial, etc) for my DUI?”
Learn why the Tampa DUI advertisements for "$1000 DUI" lawyers don't tell the whole picture and what expenses are involved with your Tampa DUI defense.
“Do you make any guarantees?”
Guarantees?!? Most Tampa DUI lawyers would NEVER make you a guarantees... But we will. Learn what guarantees we make and how we can help you survive your DUI arrest.
Get answers to the most common questions clients ask
Watch our webinar to get answers to the most common questions clients ask me
NEXT STEP: Schedule an Appointment to Discuss Your Case
If you’ve been arrested for DUI, no matter how bad the case looks, do NOT plead guilty without talking to a lawyer specializing in DUI defense. It may be possible to get your charges reduced (maybe even dismissed), but you’ll never know unless you talk to a DUI expert.
DUI cases are serious, with penalties harsher penalties than many felony cases. Additionally, the “hidden cost” of DUI insurance can easily easily cost you $30,000, $40,000, even $50,000! (Good news: You can avoid almost all of that if your DUI lawyer gets the DUI dropped or reduced!)
Many of the issues in DUI cases are extremely time sensitive, so you must act quickly.
If you want your best chance of avoiding a DUI, call an experienced Tampa DUI attorney today.
Tampa DUI Attorney Elliott Wilcox has handled thousands of DUI cases. A member of the National College for DUI Defense, a founding member of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association, and a life member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Elliott's practice is dedicated exclusively to helping drivers accused of Driving Under the Influence (DUI). To talk with Elliott about your available options to continue driving and avoiding a DUI, schedule a phone appointment or call (813) 940-4300 today!
The Wilcox Law Firm
620 East Twiggs Street, Suite 304
Tampa, Florida 33602
Call today to schedule your DUI Defense Strategy Session
You will be okay, and you will get through this... We promise!
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