Choosing the Right DUI Attorney

Choosing the right DUI attorney may be the difference between freedom or jail time, so take the time to carefully select someone who will help you navigate the legal system. You may feel frantic, stressed, pressed for time, or depressed in the aftermath of a DUI or DWI arrest, but take a step back while you find an attorney. You will want to collect paperwork, meet with attorneys or their staff, and evaluate your options.

Collect Paperwork

Before you meet with any attorneys, gather relevant paperwork in one place. Find the police report, if you have a copy, your bail papers, other court documents such as anything you received when you first appeared before a judge, and any other paperwork related to the case. You might have a search inventory report or a medication prescription that the attorney will want to see. If you do not have all of this paperwork, do not worry – collect what you do have. Also, make a list of people involved in the case, like the arresting officer’s name (if known), names of witnesses, or names of any victims.

Research Attorneys and Schedule Consultations

Find the names of a few attorneys who defend DUI cases in your jurisdiction (including state and county). The attorney will need to be licensed in the state where you received the DUI charge. Look for relevant experience, such as work as a prosecutor or assistant district attorney in the state, membership in professional organization related to criminal defense, and success in cases like yours. In some jurisdictions, the term “DUI” is not used – instead, attorneys may refer to DWI, OWI, or OVI – so when searching for an attorney, use the term(s) appropriate for your location.

Set up consultations with a few attorneys and try to meet them in person. When meeting with an attorney, learn about their background and experience, the types of cases they accept, and their fees. Someone who has familiarity with the prosecutor in your case or contacts in the police department can be a real asset. Bring all the paperwork you collected for the attorney to review.

Evaluate Options

During the initial consultations and after you select an attorney, talk about your options. Answer any questions the attorneys have about evidence against you, and then talk about which evidence or other factors work for and against you, whether the attorney thinks a plea agreement is possible, and what you can expect in the stages of the case. Understand who will handle your case at the law firm, what the first step is for both you and the attorney, and make sure you find someone that makes you feel comfortable with the future of your DUI case.

Have you been charged with a DUI in Oklahoma and don’t know where to turn? Seek out the attorney who knows the system. Clint Patterson, Esq., of Patterson Law Firm, a former Tulsa prosecutor now using his trial experience and expert-level knowledge of DUI science to defend drivers, has the experience and the insight to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case. To schedule a case evaluation, visit Patterson Law Firm online or call Clint’s office at (918) 550-9175.