If you've been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Virginia and you want to fight the charge, you'll need the help of an experienced Virginia DUI defense lawyer. When choosing an attorney to handle your case, you'll want to ensure you make the best selection possible. You'll need a lawyer who is honest, qualified, and who has plenty of experience.
Here are 10 questions to ask your potential Virginia DUI lawyer before you retain their services.
#1 - How many years have you been in practice?
Virginia DUI lawyers may promote themselves as experts in their field, when in reality they have no experience beyond their law degree. Obviously, you don't want someone new to the profession. You want a DUI lawyer who can build a winning DUI defense. This takes years of practice, knowledge of Virginia's DUI laws in practice (not just from law books) and experience in court.
#2 - How much experience do you have representing Virginia DUI defendants?
Again, you want to be sure that the Virginia DUI defense lawyer you are speaking with has actual Virginia DUI experience. These are complex cases, and you'll want a lawyer who understands Virginia DUI laws as they differ from other states.
#3 - Who in your office will actually be handling my Virginia DUI case, and what are their qualifications?
This is the most important question that you must ask. Oftentimes, the lawyer that you are interviewing will not be the lawyer who actually represents you in court. Instead, they may propose a "team approach" to building your DUI defense. This may leave you with an attorney who is young and inexperienced.
The truth is that many times a successful firm will have their younger lawyers represent you, while those who made the firm a success will only take on high-profile cases. Therefore, the "team approach" means that the firm's most experienced Virginia DUI defense lawyer won't represent you in court. If you get this kind of vague response then you should choose another firm.
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