Key Considerations for Choosing the Best Miami DUI Attorney
Facing DUI charges? If this is your first time experiencing these accusations, you are likely feeling frightened, confused, and uncertain. However, I am here to help provide some clarity as you undergo the process of hiring the right attorney to defend you. There are countless attorneys out there who advertise themselves as the “best of the best,” but that’s not always the case.
The following content is for information purposes and is not legal advice in any way. If you would like to schedule a consultation to receive legal advice about your case, contact 786-785-2035. With this in mind, I urge you to consider the 8 tips below as you search for the best DUI lawyer in Miami:
Do not represent yourself
It is never a good idea to represent yourself, even if you’re a qualified attorney yourself. Not only could a judge and jury take your case less seriously, but you may delay court proceedings since you lack the legal experience, insights, vocabulary, and knowledge needed to proficiently represent yourself and negotiate a plea bargain. You may even make incriminating statements that could land you in jail.
Also, judges and juries may be biased against you, rarely in your favor, which could ultimately result in losing your case. Remember, although jurors are supposed to be unbiased, they are human beings who may form subconscious biases against you without even realizing it. Thus, do not take the risk of defending yourself in a high-stakes situation like yours.
Be honest and transparent with your potential attorney
Many people feel embarrassed and ashamed of their DUI charges, understandably. This could result in them withholding valuable information from their prospective attorney. While you are searching for the best DUI lawyer in Miami, you will likely have initial consultations with several potential lawyers. During these consults, it is in your best interests to be truthful about every detail of your situation and answer all questions honestly. The more information an attorney can gather about your case, the better, as your chances of getting a strong, comprehensive defense strategy will increase.
Attorneys have a duty of confidentiality to both clients and prospective clients, therefore they may not discuss your case or related information without your consent. This duty continues even after an attorney-client relationship has been terminated. With this in mind, I encourage you to be truthful about your alleged DUI, no matter how painful it may be. Your freedom and future depend on it.
Steer away from public defenders if you can
Many DUI defendants believe public defenders are a viable option to fight their charges. That may be wrong. Not only may you be ineligible for one, but public defenders, some of which are good lawyers, are younger, less experienced and often overworked and overwhelmed with tens and hundreds of cases. As such, you will not get the attention, focus, and urgency your case depends on. The public defender you’re assigned is the one you’re stuck with, so if they are not spending the time needed and actively fighting for your freedom, then you may lose your case. In fact, studies show that public defenders are more likely to get harsher plea deals on behalf of their clients. Simply put, the best DUI lawyer in Miami may not be a public defender.
Read online reviews first
Word-of-mouth is among the most reliable ways to learn about any business. Therefore, you should utilize the following lawyer review sites to learn how others are talking about your prospective attorney:
My track record consists of a perfect 10.0 superb rating on Avvo, an AV Preeminent® Rating on Martindale-Hubbell, recognition as a Florida Super Lawyer from 2015-2020, an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, and more.
Cheap is rarely the best
The saying “you get what you pay for” couldn’t be truer in the legal world. Hiring a cheap lawyer is not always good, and good lawyers aren’t always cheap. Thus, when your future, freedom, and driving privileges are at stake, you could pay a hefty cost for hiring a cheap lawyer: Losing your case. The last thing you want is to go to jail, pay thousands of dollars in fines, and get your license suspended as a result of retaining a cheap lawyer.
If you want the best DUI lawyer in Miami, the bottom line is you will have to pay more to get the experience, insights, and effective case strategies your case relies on. Although attorney costs can be intimidating and pricey at first glance, keep in mind that your freedom is priceless.
Research the attorney’s background and case history
When looking to hire the Best Miami DUI attorney, it’s important to do your homework. Researching attorneys’ case backgrounds and histories will give you a better idea of how capable they are of handling your case. Don’t research a lawyer with a successful track record for defending theft charges, look for a lawyer who has proven their abilities to fight DUI charges, or whatever charges you’re facing. Every crime requires different areas of knowledge and defense strategies, therefore you should retain an attorney who has a successful background and case history for your particular charges.
Establish comfort and confidence with your attorney
Forming a good relationship with your attorney is critical to your case. You do not want to feel uncomfortable sharing your personal details concerning your charges nor unconfident in your attorney’s ability to help you. As such, the initial consultation with your potential attorney is an opportunity to gauge how strong your attorney-client relationship will be. If you feel like you can’t be yourself around them or don’t trust them for any reason, do not hire that attorney. Trust your gut instincts.
Size matters
When it comes to law firms, bigger is not always better. Many defendants falsely assume that working with a large-size law firm will maximize their chances of getting a favorable result in their case. However, sole practitioners are more focused on clients’ cases compared to bigger firms, who typically pass cases off to support staff or other lawyers. The best DUI lawyer in Miami is one who fully dedicates their time, energy, and resources to defending their clients, not one who barely gives clients the time of day.
If a lawyer is too busy to work one-on-one with you at all stages of the process and isn’t available to address any questions or concerns you have along the way, then they should not represent you.
Looking for the Best DUI Lawyer in Miami?
There are many good attorneys out there, but not many of them are former prosecutors with 35+ years of experience defending thousands of cases. I obtain these qualities and more, earning an award-winning track record for favorable results on behalf of countless clients charged with DUI. Thus, you can rest assured that I am the best Miami DUI attorney to handle your case and encourage you to schedule a consultation to learn why.
Contact me online or at 786-785-2035 today!