Every DUI case is different but you want to hire a DUI accident attorney that will win your case. Ask these twelve questions before hiring a DUI attorney in NJ.

Did you know that DUIs can lead to thousands of dollars in fines and fees? If you don’t have good legal representation, you could be socked with significant jail time and license suspension. Your best chance of minimizing penalties comes with choosing a reputable attorney. 

Keep reading to learn about 12 questions you should ask before hiring a DUI accident attorney in NJ!

1. How Long Have You Been Practicing?

You want to have a seasoned attorney by your side when you’re facing a DUI charge. Even if it’s less expensive to hire someone newer, you’ll be better off with an experienced attorney. They’ll be familiar with the local court system and have negotiation tactics in mind that work. 

Ask where a potential attorney went to law school. And ask what types of continuing education they pursue. They also should be active in regional or national legal associations. 

Additionally, be sure you’re choosing an NJ DUI accident attorney. This is someone who will be licensed to practice law in the state and understand how the court system works.

2. What Is Your Expertise in DUI Defense?

Don’t choose just any type of attorney to oversee your case. DUI accident attorney experience is critical. Someone whose specialty is in another area won’t give you the best results. 

An attorney without the right expertise won’t know the nuances that can strengthen your case. For instance, a DUI attorney will help guide you toward proactive solutions that can help demonstrate to the court that you’re making positive changes. Such changes could involve pursuing voluntary alcohol counseling or even stepping up your involvement at work.

A DUI attorney will know how to help you through a plea argument. They’ll know the local and state ruling histories, too, with DUI cases. This insider knowledge can help you avoid extensive jail time. 

3. How Successful Have Your Cases Been?

Even an experienced attorney doesn’t guarantee a successful outcome. Ask potential attorneys about their track record working with DUI defendants. And ask how they define success.

Each DUI case is different, and being absolved is not a common outcome. Even so, a good attorney can help you avoid the stiffest penalties. 

You want to find an attorney with a high percentage of cases that have resulted in softer penalties. Ask for specific examples where an attorney has been able to negotiate a better deal or get a case dismissed. 

4. Will I Work Directly With You?

When you hire an attorney, you want to work with that attorney. You don’t want them to pawn you off on less experienced individuals. Be clear that the person you hire is going to be the one actually delving into the case. 

If you can’t be guaranteed this, take your case elsewhere. After all, you’re paying thousands of dollars for expertise and experience. You don’t want one of the attorney’s associates to be doing all the work when they lack the same level of expertise. 

5. How Do You Usually Communicate?

Some attorneys prefer to communicate via phone. Others might prefer video conferencing or in-person meetings. And still others may use email more often.

Ask a potential attorney how they will communicate. If your preference is in-person or video meetings but the attorney likes emails, you might not be a good match. 

You also want to be clear on the frequency of communication. Ask how often you’ll get updates on developments in the case. 

6. What Evidence Will You Gather?

A strong DUI attorney will know how to collect compelling evidence efficiently. They’ll communicate with the prosecutor to secure police reports. And they’ll get video footage that could bolster your case.

For instance, perhaps an officer indicated you were swerving. But if the dashcam footage indicates otherwise, that will work in your favor. Breathalyzer results, audio recordings, and witness interviews are other common forms of evidence. 

The best possible outcome is that the evidence helps paint a different picture of events. If there isn’t enough evidence, the prosecutor could even dismiss the charges.  

7. What Strategy Will You Take?

A good DUI accident attorney should be able to tell you the likely strategy for your case based on what they know. While each case is unique, it’s fair to ask what an attorney envisions. They should be able to spot procedural problems and faulty evidence.

Maybe the defense strategy is to question why you were pulled over in the first place. Perhaps there wasn’t a legitimate reason, which would then call into question the DUI charge. A lack of reasonable suspicion would be at play in this scenario.

Another possibility is to highlight missteps on the part of the officer. They might not have done a proper breathalyzer test or failed to give a Miranda warning. 

Make sure you hire an attorney who knows these common defense strategies. They should explain what they entail in terms you understand. And they should be able to ask you precise questions to arrive at a sensible strategy. 

8. What Are Possible Case Outcomes?

Facing a DUI charge can be nerve-wracking. But it can be helpful to have some idea of what to expect. A good attorney will be able to explain potential outcomes given their experiences in the area.

Some possible outcomes for a first-time offense include a fine of a few hundred dollars and license suspension. You could lose your license for half a year or possibly a full year. 

If you have a criminal history, keep in mind that it will impact your outcome. That’s especially true if you have other DUI charges. As a result, you could end up facing a worse outcome, like jail time and a much longer license suspension. 

The higher your blood alcohol level, the more severe the outcome. And if you caused significant injuries, property damage, or deaths, you can expect a stronger penalty. You could lose your license for years – or forever. 

9. Do You Have Experience as a Prosecutor?

As a DUI defendant, it can be to your advantage to hire someone with experience as a prosecutor. It might be surprising to even think that’s a possibility, but some DUI attorneys have past experience as prosecutors. 

This experience can help the attorney see the scope of the situation better. They’ll be able to anticipate how the other side might approach the trial. And that gives you an advantage strategically. 

10. What Is Your Pricing Structure?

DUI accident attorney fees can be steep if you’re not careful. That’s why it’s so important to be clear on how a given attorney’s pricing structure works. You don’t want to gouge your budget with attorney fees. 

Some DUI attorneys charge a flat fee that may be a few thousand dollars. They’ll charge an amount based on their understanding of how long DUI cases last and the probable outcome in your situation. 

In other instances, attorneys will charge an hourly rate. Since this method of billing can be harder to track, ask a potential attorney for an estimate. 

Other attorneys will use a little of both methods. The consultation might come with an initial flat fee. Everything beyond that, however, could be charged by the hour. 

Keep in mind that you’ll likely be paying fines, too, if convicted. These can be hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on whether you’re a first-time offender. You may also need to pay court fees or fees for witnesses.  

11. How Long Will Everything Take?

Timelines are important so you can move forward with your life. Always ask a prospective attorney for an estimated timeline for your case.

If you’re dealing with chronic pain from the accident, for instance, you might be missing work already. The last thing you want is to miss more work because of an extended legal situation. How complicated the case is and the schedule of cases will impact your timeline. 

Some DUI cases can last a few months. You may need to wait several months to go to trial. And the trial itself could take additional months. 

12. Do You Have References?

Finally, know that it’s fair to request references from a prospective attorney. This is one of the best ways to gauge their quality. You can talk with a reference to learn more about the attorney’s communication skills and success in resolving a case. 

You can look at the attorney’s website, too, for DUI accident attorney testimonials. But these reviews might be handpicked to reflect the best experiences. You’ll get more transparency with references.

Steer clear of an attorney who won’t provide references. This is a red flag indicating they don’t have a track record of happy clients – or they’re simply inexperienced. 

Hire the Best DUI Accident Attorney

A good DUI accident attorney will be a clear communicator with expertise in DUI accident cases. Choose an attorney with positive reviews and a fair pricing structure. And make sure they have a track record of success.

With 35 years of experience handling DUI and traffic violation issues in New Jersey, The Law Office of Steven Ellman is your advocate when you need one most. You’ll get focused expertise and experience to achieve the best possible outcome.

Reach out today for a free consultation!