Are you facing DUI charges in Austin? Perhaps you’re looking for someone to offer legal representation and ensure a successful outcome. Or maybe you want a professional who’ll help ease your charges. If so, learn the mistakes to avoid when hiring DUI Attorney Austin.
An experienced DUI lawyer investigates your case and collects solid evidence to create a strong defense for a winning case. They negotiate for lesser charges to protect your driving license and your reputation. They have adequate experience and knowledge of the law so they avoid all mistakes that derail or destroy your case.
However, to maximize the benefits of hiring a DUI lawyer, you should get the best.
Are you wondering how to find a perfect DUI attorney? Here are the common mistakes to avoid when hiring DWI Attorney Austin.
Not Speaking to the Attorney Before Hiring
While referrals are an effective way of finding a good lawyer, communicating with your potential attorney is crucial. You get an opportunity to do a background check about the lawyer and learn more about their services. That way, you make the hiring decision based on the information you collect and not someone else’s advice.
When having a one-on-one conversation with the lawyer, you can determine their availability. If they are busy making and picking up calls during the talk, then they might not be fully committed to your case. Since you want someone who will be there for you throughout the process, you’ll look for other options.
Also, you know if the lawyer is an effective communicator, organized and experienced. You see if they can develop a positive attorney-client relationship. With these details, you’ll determine if they’re a good fit for you or not.
When inquiring about legal representation, speak to the actual lawyer who’ll be handling your case. Most law firms have professionals who receive calls on behalf of the lawyer and provide needed information. Before proceeding with the conversation, confirm you are speaking to the attorney and not their assistant.
Choosing an Attorney Solely on Price
Price shouldn’t be the only determining factor when hiring James Fletcher Attorney. It should be one of the many factors that can help you get an experienced and reliable attorney.
Hiring experienced lawyers are expensive but can save you big bucks in the long run. They know how to handle your case and ensure deserved compensation. They expedite the legal process to save time and costs.
With inexperienced attorneys, you pay lower prices but make bigger losses in the future. They might make errors that can ruin or derail your case. Also, they can offer subpar representation, making you lose the case.
When hiring a DWI lawyer, don’t go for the one with a lesser charge or who charges an exorbitant amount. Attorneys that charge the moon and stars are not necessarily the best.
Always consider lawyers that charge reasonable prices for quality services. Focus on getting the exemplary representation that leads to a positive outcome.
Failing to Ask Critical Questions
Some people are in haste when hiring a lawyer. They don’t take time to ask crucial questions about the lawyer’s;
- knowledge and experience
- rate of success
- specialization
- availability
This increases the odds of making erroneous choices that are costly.
Before settling for any lawyer, vet them first. Ask all the questions you have to clear any doubts and satisfy your curiosity. This helps you develop a clear picture of the lawyer you intend to hire.
Some of the key questions you can ask your prospective attorney include;
- how long have you been practicing law
- can you provide some references
- will be available during the legal process
- how much do you charge your services
- do you offer a free case evaluation
- what’s your best mode of communication
- will you personally handle the case or delegate it to your legal assistant
Depending on their responses, you’ll determine whether to go for their legal services or look for better lawyers.
Not Checking the Attorney’s Reputation and References
Checking your lawyer’s status and references is vital before hiring them. You get to know whether they’re who they claim to be or are concealing some information. Also, you get a chance to learn about the experiences of the previous clients with the attorney.
To review your lawyer’s reputation, read through their clients’ testimonials on their website. Or research further on independent sites like Better Business Bureau and Yelp. You’ll find negative and positive comments about the lawyer.
If you discover that many clients are unhappy and regret working with the attorney, proceed with caution. This might signal poor services, inexperience and unkind treatment from the lawyer.
Sometimes online reviews might be inaccurate, so request the lawyer to provide you with a list of references. You’ll get an opportunity to speak with actual clients who the attorney has served.
If the lawyer offers quality legal representation, they’ll highly recommend them. Otherwise, they’ll point out their weaknesses and warn you not to work with them.
Hiring Inexperienced Attorney
Today, there are many lawyers available in the industry. However, they’re different, and not all can suit your case. It’s crucial you hire an attorney with proven experience in handling cases similar to yours.
To ascertain their experience, you can check the number of years they’ve been handling such cases. The longer they’ve been practicing, the more the experience.
You can also ask them about their track record. How many cases have they won since they began their profession? If they have a higher success rate, consider them.
Also, you can speak to several references and ask them to rate the lawyer’s experience. Depending on their ratings, you’ll know whether the lawyer is experienced.
If you develop any doubts about your lawyer’s experience, avoid them completely. Experience is a key determinant in losing or winning your case.
You can also use a proven DUI attorney guide to get a perfect fit for you.
Avoid the Above Common Mistakes When Hiring a DUI Attorney Austin
Hiring the best DUI attorney can be challenging. You’ve got unlimited options, and you’ll need to evaluate them to pick an impeccable lawyer. Above are mistakes to avoid when hiring a DUI attorney Austin.
Are you Looking for the best DUI Austin attorneys? At Deandra Grant Law, we can help you. We’re a DUI firm that provides quality legal representation to combat your criminal charges.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation.