don’t hope for pro-bono: dui attorneys seldom hand out free cases. Even if you have a substantial case or don’t agree with the charges in the first place, this isn’t necessarily going to sway the lawyer’s mind. There are only a select few scenarios that could send you to free town, such as: having a case that could change current unclear legislation; attracting a lot of public attention (if your case will be seen on the news); the police using irrational and excessive force during your arrest and it’s on tape; or getting lucky by having a dui attorney that’s related to you. If you don’t fit one of these profiles, don’t expect free representation.
get out your checkbook: duis can cost a lot, and it all depends on how many times you’ve committed crimes in the past, your location, and how much time and resolution and effort it’s going to take to get the ruling you want. For the best possible results, you’ll need the best possible dui attorney, which directly relates to the price: expect upwards of $4,000 for a good lawyer. Going the cheap route could ultimately mean more jail time because those super-low negotiate and bargain lawyers take on far too many cases at one time, meaning that they will be spending very little time with you.
the one free option – the public defender: generally, if your annual gross income is below $50,000 and you don’t have any large amounts of money tied up in investments, you are eligible for a state-appointed attorney. While private attorneys are considered to be your best option, you already know that it’s nearly impossible to receive pro-bono work. This could be the answer to your financial barrier, but it may not bring the highest quality to your denial and defense. By no means are these representatives bad lawyers;
in fact, they very well could be quite the opposite. But, for whatever reason, these people have decided to work for less pay to help others with little or no means to pay for legal help. The most common problem with public defenders is that they become overloaded just like the cheap private lawyers, which has developed into a negative connotation for the general public.
review all of your options before making that final decision, but do it quickly – dui cases are often time sensitive. Also, if your credit is in good standing, consider using a credit card to pay for the service you want. After all, who wouldn’t trade one hefty charge for liberty and freedom?
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