Anyone charged with drunk driving or any driving under the influence related offense in Orange County, California is facing the loss of their driving privileges, fines and possibly prison time. DUI charges are very serious. If you or a loved one is facing any kind of DUI charge, there are steps you can take to protect your freedom and driving privileges. The decision you make now can have a detrimental affect on the rest of your life. Hiring a qualified Orange County DUI attorney will make sure your rights are preserved and that your receive proper legal counsel. Use the following tips to help you find a good DUI attorney in Orange County.
* When selecting a lawyer, use the resources you have at hand such as friends and family. They may be able to give you a recommendation. Phone books are another resource, but remember the largest ad does not mean the best attorney. Always check the lawyer's website for specific information about that lawyer.
* Do some research. You want a lawyer with DUI expertise and experience. The local library should have a copy of the Martindale Hubbell Law Directory. The Directory can also be accessed online at http://www.martindale.com/ and it lists every attorney in the United States along with each lawyer's standing with the California State Bar.
* Have a face-to-face meeting with any prospective OC DUI lawyer. An in person meeting will help you determine if you feel comfortable with them. It also helps the attorney decide if they feel comfortable with you and want to take on your case. Trust your instincts, if you do not feel comfortable after the initial meeting then move on to another attorney. The attorney client relationship is very personal; you want someone you feel comfortable with.
* During the consultation meeting with each prospective attorney, be prepared with a list of questions to ask. Below are a few suggestions:
* How many DUI trials have you done in Orange County in the past year? If your case goes to trial, you want an attorney who has taken a case to court recently.
* How many active cases do you currently carry? You do not want an attorney who is overextended and unable to give your case the focus and attention you want.
* How many Orange County DUI cases have you handled in the past year? You want an attorney who is current with the most recent DUI laws.
* What was the outcome of the cases? You want to know their track record and you want to make sure they do not plead every case. If your case goes to trial, you want to make sure your attorney is prepared and willing to go to trial.
* Will the attorney you are meeting with be the one handling your case or will another attorney in the firm be the primary attorney? In some large firms, the attorney you consulted with may not be the one actually doing the majority of the work on your case. It is best to find out from the beginning who will be handling your case.
* How will they keep you informed about the case? Will you be e-mailed, phoned, or mailed?
* How quickly do they respond to phone calls and emails?
* How do you reach them after normal business hours?
It is very important to understand how you will be charged for the attorney's services. It is common for attorneys to charge by the hour or a flat-fee for DUI representation in Orange County, California.
For a flat-fee agreement:
* Get a list of everything that is covered and anything that is not covered under the flat-fee agreement.
* Does the flat-fee agreement cover taking your case to trial?
For an hourly rate, you will want to ask these additional questions:
* What is the hourly rate?
* What are the minimum billing increments?
* Do they charge for every phone call, email and letter?
* Ask for an estimate of the number of hours the case will take?
* What other expenses might you incur?
* What if the case takes longer than expected?
The Law Offices of Coffey & Coffey can assist you with understanding any DUI charge, your rights and options. Their website located here, Orange County DUI Attorney, is a premier resource for Orange County drivers seeking information and guidance concerning DUI cases.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
DUI: Leading cause of Car Accidents
Driving under the influence or DUI is the number one cause of vehicular accidents in the US. Every year about 25,000 deaths and 708,000 injuries (74,000 of those are serious injuries) occur as a result of alcohol related vehicular accidents.
It is also the leading cause of death for young Americans who's 16 - 24 in age. Although these people consist only about 20% of the licensed population, they cause about 42% of all fatal alcohol related accidents.
These numbers are staggering considering that the United States is considered to have one of the safest roads in the world due in part to its design and characteristics. In Los Angeles, the home of Hollywood, DUI has become a common occurrence where even celebrities are seen on TV being arrested for driving under the influence.
From what the data above shows, it is young teenagers who are most commonly charged with these offenses. Inexperienced drivers trying to show off by disregarding rules are already reckless hazards on the streets. Add alcohol into the mix and you have a disaster brewing.
Factors of DUI Convictions
According to the American Automobile Association, California has one of the most complicated DUI laws. When a person is charged for DUI offenses, he/she is in essence facing two misdemeanor or felony counts as he/she is charged under motor vehicle and criminal codes.
There are certain factors that determines conviction in regards to DUI. They are the following:
* Breathalyzer Test - This test determines the alcohol level in a person's blood. The problem with this test is that the results may show a higher rate than the real alcohol to blood ratio. Some people refuse breathalyzer tests because of that reason to avoid false convictions.
* Field Sobriety Test - Most common field sobriety tests are walking heel-to-heel in a straight line, horizontal gaze tests and standing on one foot for 30 seconds. Failing a field sobriety test would increase chances of DUI conviction so if you have any illness or disability that would make you fail the test please inform the officer.
* Judges - Some judges are stricter than others concerning DUI. Some would crack down hard on every person charged while some tend to be more cautious to avoid innocent convictions.
* Lawyer - Aside from the level of leniency of the judge, lawyer representation is also a factor in determining convictions for DUI. You always hear of lawyers or law firms that have a reputation of acquitting their client from DUI charges no matter the strength of the case. Most DUI cases can be attributed to a lapse in judgment. People whose records are squeaky clean are suddenly marred by a permanent mark due to a single poor decision, driving while under the influence of alcohol.
To avoid getting a conviction from DUI charges, consult with a DUI attorney that can give you competent representation and can show you the ins-and-out of DUI proceedings.
It is also the leading cause of death for young Americans who's 16 - 24 in age. Although these people consist only about 20% of the licensed population, they cause about 42% of all fatal alcohol related accidents.
These numbers are staggering considering that the United States is considered to have one of the safest roads in the world due in part to its design and characteristics. In Los Angeles, the home of Hollywood, DUI has become a common occurrence where even celebrities are seen on TV being arrested for driving under the influence.
From what the data above shows, it is young teenagers who are most commonly charged with these offenses. Inexperienced drivers trying to show off by disregarding rules are already reckless hazards on the streets. Add alcohol into the mix and you have a disaster brewing.
Factors of DUI Convictions
According to the American Automobile Association, California has one of the most complicated DUI laws. When a person is charged for DUI offenses, he/she is in essence facing two misdemeanor or felony counts as he/she is charged under motor vehicle and criminal codes.
There are certain factors that determines conviction in regards to DUI. They are the following:
* Breathalyzer Test - This test determines the alcohol level in a person's blood. The problem with this test is that the results may show a higher rate than the real alcohol to blood ratio. Some people refuse breathalyzer tests because of that reason to avoid false convictions.
* Field Sobriety Test - Most common field sobriety tests are walking heel-to-heel in a straight line, horizontal gaze tests and standing on one foot for 30 seconds. Failing a field sobriety test would increase chances of DUI conviction so if you have any illness or disability that would make you fail the test please inform the officer.
* Judges - Some judges are stricter than others concerning DUI. Some would crack down hard on every person charged while some tend to be more cautious to avoid innocent convictions.
* Lawyer - Aside from the level of leniency of the judge, lawyer representation is also a factor in determining convictions for DUI. You always hear of lawyers or law firms that have a reputation of acquitting their client from DUI charges no matter the strength of the case. Most DUI cases can be attributed to a lapse in judgment. People whose records are squeaky clean are suddenly marred by a permanent mark due to a single poor decision, driving while under the influence of alcohol.
To avoid getting a conviction from DUI charges, consult with a DUI attorney that can give you competent representation and can show you the ins-and-out of DUI proceedings.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)