If you’ve been charged with DUI, then you’re probably in a pretty tough place emotionally and logistically. After all, the consequences of an actual DUI conviction could be huge, and there’s no telling how they might impact your life for the short and long term. For this reason, it’s imperative that you find yourself a good attorney to help you throughout what is likely to be a pretty rough battle.
When it comes to finding the right DUI attorney, it can be difficult to differentiate between the various professionals in the business. But just because you’ve heard a lawyer’s name on numerous radio commercials doesn’t mean that he’s going to end up being the best person for the job. Charles Nistico of the firm Nistico Roberts, P.C. is a Pennsylvania-based DUI attorney with 30 years of experience under his belt, and he thinks that anyone who needs a DUI lawyer ought to look for the following:
A respectful attitude towards clients
Although a DUI attorney is technically a criminal defense lawyer, most individuals charged with DUI are not actual “criminals” like murderers and rapists. Rather, they are simply people who made mistakes and never meant to break the law or hurt anybody in the process. Sure, those charged with DUI do need to take responsibility for their actions (especially in the form of pledging to never drive under the influence again). But at the same, they also tend to require a degree of special handling. This is where the right attitude towards clients truly needs to come into play. A good DUI attorney will recognize the fact that the majority of his clients are scared and vulnerable, and he’ll treat them appropriately without making them feel like hardened criminals. Also, since most people charged with DUI tend to be unfamiliar with the criminal system – especially first-time offenders – it’s imperative that a DUI lawyer be prepared to patiently review one’s options while offering just the right amount of sympathy and understanding. Additionally, a good DUI attorney will understand that a DUI charge can not only be embarrassing, but potentially detrimental to one’s job and future, and will therefore engage in the just the right amount of hand-holding when walking his clients through the legal system.
A fighting attitude
There’s no question that a DUI attorney needs to show compassion towards his clients, but a good lawyer will also be able to approach every legal situation with a fighting attitude. A good DUI attorney might also, on occasion, need to engage in a bit of “tough love” with his clients to allow them to see the big picture. Therefore, the right DUI attorney will need to be both hard-hitting and gentle, as appropriate, throughout each legal matter he faces.
Experience
The more experience an attorney has, the more likely he is to be able to do a good job. After all, a seasoned attorney will be familiar with the ins and outs of the legal system, and he’ll be able to use his knowledge to offer the best possible defense in any given DUI situation. While studying case law and reviewing statutes can certainly be helpful, when it comes to appearing before a judge and actually arguing a case, it’s hard to find a proper substitute for actual experience.
Free case evaluations
It’s natural for a lawyer (or any given professional, for that matter) to want to make money, but a good attorney will never try to take advantage of his clients financially. And in situations where DUI comes into play, it’s especially important that an attorney understand that some of his clients might be limited financially. As such, a good DUI attorney will offer free case evaluations so that potential clients can learn about their options in as stress-free a manner as possible.
The ability to get along well with everyone
There’s no question that a good DUI attorney will need to have good people skills in order to work well with his clients. However, a good DUI lawyer should also have the ability to get along well with the players on the opposite team, such as judges, court clerks, and police officers. After all, if an attorney is respected among all of his peers, then that fact can only end up serving clients for the better. A good attorney will therefore know how to go about the business of defending those charged with DUI without making any enemies along the way.
Remember, dealing with a DUI isn’t easy, but the right attorney can make the process far less nerve-wracking on a whole.
This article is for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this article as a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances, and you should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Publication of this article and your receipt of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.
