If you received a DUI, there are several questions you should ask a lawyer during an initial consultation, as you are deciding who to hire. While every DUI case is unique and you may have your own unique concerns, the following list of questions to ask a lawyer about your DUI case in Pennsylvania should help to get you started.
Question 1: What Type of Law Do You Practice?
Too often, people go to the attorney’s office focused on the cost of retaining the attorney or the outcome of their charge, but these factors often depend on the experience levels of the lawyer. Find out what area of the law the lawyer prefers to work in and with what type of client.
Question 2: Why Is This Firm Better Equipped to Handle My Case Than Another Attorney?
Find out if your lawyer has unique experience that makes him or her particularly qualified to represent you in court. Does the attorney have any specialized training with cases like yours? What kind of prior experience does the lawyer have? Has he or she handled similar cases and what was the result in those cases?
Question 3: How Well Does the Law Firm Communicate with the Clients You Represent?
DUI cases are stressful, and it can be helpful to know how accessible your lawyer will be after you retain him or her and whether you will be charged every time you reach out with a question. It is important to know what the expectation is for how frequently you will be in touch.
Question 4: What Do Your Legal Services Cost?
A lawyer should be able to give you an estimate of the cost of retaining his or her services. Ask the lawyer to go over the cost of the different scenarios: retaining their services, representing yourself at trial or pleading guilty. Keep in mind that in Pennsylvania, DUI convictions carry expensive fines of up to $5,000 for the first conviction alone, as well as court costs and fees. And those are just the direct costs and do not include an increase in car insurance, the cost of transportation to and from work, possible lost wages, and possible court-ordered classes.
How can you help reduce the cost of a DUI in Pennsylvania?
A lawyer can try negotiating with the prosecutor for reducing your charge or missing it altogether. A lawyer may also be able to help you enroll in a diversion program to lower your costs and avoid going to jail.
Contact McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. to Help with Your DUI Case
The team at McKenzie Law Firm, P.C. can provide you with the support you need for your DUI case. After retaining the firm, your lawyer will always be accessible through email, text, phone, and even social media. And as a former criminal prosecutor, David McKenzie has insider knowledge that can be helpful during a DUI case.
For a free consultation or to have the team get to work on your case right away, contact us now at (610) 680-7842. With this list of questions to ask a lawyer about your DUI case in Pennsylvania in mind, reach out to us today.
