Your initial DUI consultation:
How to get the most out of

Most good DUI lawyers will offer a no-obligation initial case evaluation to anybody who is serious about hiring a private attorney to represent them in court. The initial consultation may be in the lawyer's office or over the phone. Web-cam and web based presentation conferences are starting to gain traction among DUI lawyers, so look for more of these in the near future.

Above all else, the Attorney-Client relationship must start with trust. Make sure to talk with any attorney you may hire to establish mutual trust before proceeding.

What is the purpose of the initial consultation?

You shouldn't have to pay a lawyer to find out that you don't like him, or that she doesn't know what she is talking about. Similarly, a lawyer is never obligated to take your case. The initial meeting is a chance for you and your potential lawyer to size each other up and get a feel for whether you have a match.

At the initial consultation, most DUI lawyers will do some or all of the following:

• Review your history and your goals.
• Assess the facts of your case and determine what legal issues and defenses are supported by the law and the evidence.
• Give you a roadmap of how your case will be handled.
• Answer all of your questions that are possible to answer (the one question most lawyers can't and shouldn't answer is "what are my chances?"
• Quote you a price for their services so you will know what to expect.

What should I bring to the DUI consultation?

Bring everything that you have. If you have the police report, bring it. Bring all documents you were given by the officers, jail staff, etc. Bring any documentation from any prior drunk driving cases you may have been involved in. Also bring as detailed of a traffic infraction history as possible. A good lawyer will want to know if there will be issues in your case caused by prior events.

You should also bring a good working knowledge of DUI vocabulary, and at least a basic understanding of the process in your state. Most of that preparration can be done right here, on this website. Be sure to read the sections about the state where your case is pending.

Will I have to make a decision at the consultation?

If you are pressured in any way during the initial consultation to make a decision to hire the lawyer, you should take that as a very negative sign. A good lawyer and ethical law firm will never pressure you, and will give you whatever space you need to make the best decision in your case.

Should I consult with more than one lawyer?

You should interview as many lawyers as it takes for you to know in your mind and in your gut that you are hiring the right one. It may take one consultation, it may take a dozen. In other words, if you are not completely positive that you want to hire a lawyer, talk with another one so you can compare them. You have nothing to lose.