Many people plead guilty and accept a DUI conviction instead of arguing their case because they just don’t know how to mount a defense. This mistake can damage your future more than you might even know. A Seattle DUI is serious and the penalties are severe, which makes hiring the right Seattle DUI attorney crucial to protecting your future.

Don’t accept a DUI Seattle conviction and all of the negatives that go along with it, such as fines, insurance increases, a suspended license, probation, community service, or even serving a jail sentence. This article looks at a few questions to ask to ensure you hire the right attorney to represent your interests if you’re ever charged with driving under the influence.

How Many Cases Have You Handled Successfully?

When it comes to fighting a DUI conviction, experience goes a long way in proving your innocence, cutting a deal, reducing your sentence, or even getting the charges thrown out of court. When you interview prospective Seattle DUI lawyers , ask about the number of cases handled successfully, meaning the number of cases where the charges were dropped against the accused.

If your prospective attorney doesn’t have a good amount of experience in defending driving under the influence charges or doesn’t have a good success rate, he may not have the skills for defending you adequately. It takes years of experience and knowhow to handle DUI Seattle cases well, and a diploma on the wall from a high-priced school doesn’t equal on the job experience.

Will You Personally Handle My Case Or Will You Pass It Off?

When you hire a law firm to handle your DUI case, it’s important to find out who exactly will handle your case. For example, the attorney you meet with and trust to represent you may not be the person that ends up actually representing you. Some lawyers consider DUI cases as low priority, passing them off to paralegals or junior associates.

Make sure it states in your written agreement exactly who will represent you, not only in court, but also in any negotiations and in the discovery process. Once again, experience counts and it’s your future on the line.

How Much Will My Total Costs Be For DUI Representation?

While you’re evaluating your representation agreement, make sure it clearly outlines what your costs will be for legal representation. Fees vary greatly by law firm and each office has its own individual fee structure. There is no one rule when it comes to fees for representation. For example, some law firms may charge by the hour while others may have a flat fee. Ask about extra costs and include those in your representation agreement as well, including expert witness fees, court costs, photocopying, postage, and more.

Asking these three questions is a good start on finding the right Seattle DUI attorney to defend you against charges for driving under the influence. Don’t just accept a DUI charge and conviction without mounting a defense. Protect your future with good legal representation.