Should I Hire a DUI Lawyer?

Most people know the Miranda Rights line “You have the right to an attorney; if you cannot afford one, the court will appoint one for you.” Indeed , the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel in criminal cases. However, this provision in the Bill of Rights doesn’t guarantee a free lawyer. Most Loudoun County judges only appoint lawyers if the defendant is below the poverty line. Furthermore, the Sixth Amendment doesn’t apply in drivers’ license revocation proceedings and other ancillary matters.

Therefore, if you were arrested for DUI, plan on hiring a Leesburg DUI lawyer. Thousands of Northern Virginia lawyers meet minimum legal qualifications to practice DUI defense. Given the significant direct and collateral consequences of DUI, a minimally-qualified lawyer probably won’t cut it. As you look for a lawyer, focus on the three qualities discussed below.

Experience

DUIs might be the most complex misdemeanors in Virginia. That fact, along with the aforementioned severe consequences, means that only an experienced Leesburg criminal defense lawyer should handle a DUI.

This experience should include a successful track record. A losing football team that returns all 22 starters is an experienced losing football team.”Success” is a subjective word. Frequently, the state’s evidence is so strong in these cases that avoiding jail time counts as a victory. Determining a track record usually involves determining a lawyer’s vision for a case, which is outlined below.

Furthermore, a lawyer’s DUI experience should include trial experience. Jim might bluff to win poker hands. But unless the other players believe Jim could actually win the hand, his bluffs mean nothing. Likewise, if a lawyer has little trial experience, prosecutors usually don’t offer favorable plea bargain deals.

Dedication

If your child is sick, you should take your child to a pediatrician who focuses on such matters. The same principle applies in this context.

Many lawyers can handle a simple criminal defense matter. But there’s nothing “simple” about a DUI. The evidence is too complex. So, if you’re accused of DUI, you need a DUI lawyer.

We should briefly pause and discuss cost. Dedicated DUI defense lawyers charge more than undedicated lawyers. A cut-rate lawyer is usually a bad choice. You get what you pay for. At the same time, no one should pay $50 for a hamburger, no matter who made it.

Vision

Experienced and dedicated lawyers have a vision for your defense, usually after the initial consultation. A lawyer should be able to identify possible defenses, such as issues with the chemical test or field sobriety tests. Lawyers should also mark procedural defenses such as Fourth and Fifth Amendment violations.

Vision should include realism. Obviously, a Leesburg criminal defense lawyer cannot predict an outcome with any certainty. But an attorney should honestly tell you what you’re up against.

Confidence

Although a lawyer can’t guarantee an outcome, a lawyer should approach your case with confidence. Only confident and well-prepared lawyers obtain the best possible results under the circumstances.

Connect With a Diligent Loudoun County Lawyer

There’s a big difference between an arrest and a conviction in criminal law. For a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Leesburg, contact Simms Showers, LLP, Attorneys at Law. We routinely handle matters throughout Northern Virginia.