An arrest for DUI should never be taken lightly and can have long-lasting repercussions in both your life and future. That's why it's vital that you find a competent legal advocate as soon as possible to fight for your rights, since having an experienced Brampton DUI lawyer on your side could mean the difference between being cleared of charges and conviction. Meeting your first DUI lawyer can be intimidating; in this article we'll outline what can be expected during an initial consultation as well as tips to prepare yourself ahead of your initial meeting.
What to Expect at Your First Meeting
Your initial meeting with a DUI attorney should allow you to tell him or her about what led up to your arrest and collect relevant details about it. At this meeting, they may ask questions regarding your case and present legal options as potential defense strategies; additionally they will outline possible outcomes and penalties associated with a conviction for DUI charges.
Honest and transparent communication during this conversation is crucial to building the best defense for your case, so be as forthcoming as possible in sharing all that you know about the night in question, including any food and drink consumed and interactions with law enforcement officers; any witnesses who could vouch for your story as well.
On your initial meeting, be sure to inquire about an attorney's experience handling DUI cases. Most attorneys should have this information on their website or in their profile, but you could also visit public review sites for more. Also ensure they are licensed in your state as each state has different DUI regulations.
Some attorneys offer free consultations for new clients. This provides an ideal opportunity for you to meet with and observe how the attorney communicates and answers your questions. It would also be wise to bring any documents related to your case such as police reports or tickets that might be relevant.
Take this chance to ask about their fees and billing methods; some lawyers charge hourly while others offer flat fees for your case. Just keep in mind that, the lower the fees may be, the less experienced the attorney might be.
After your initial consultation, you can anticipate receiving regular updates from your attorney by phone call, email, or text message. The frequency will depend on your individual needs and preferences but remember that no two cases are the same and that your attorney may have other clients with whom they need to communicate on an irregular schedule - don't assume they're always available if their schedule becomes full; still count on regular communications!
