When you hire an attorney for your DUI case in Phoenix, it is important to know what you can expect from your legal representation. You will be relying on your attorney to protect your future, and you are entitled to expect that your attorney will meet a high standard of advocacy.
At the same time, it is also important to know what not to expect from your DUI attorney. To ensure that you are making informed decisions, you need to ensure that you have reasonable expectations. So, what should you expect (and what shouldn’t you expect) when you hire a Phoenix DUI attorney to represent you?
What to Expect from Your Phoenix DUI Attorney
Here are five things you can (and should) expect from your Phoenix DUI attorney:
1. A Free, No-Obligation Consultation
While some DUI attorneys charge for initial consultations, we believe in providing free initial consultations for a couple of reasons. First, as we said above, your choice of legal representation matters—in fact, it matters a lot. As a result, it makes sense that you should be able to talk to an attorney before you decide whether he or she is the right choice to handle your DUI case.
Second, we know that many people are on the fence about whether to hire an attorney for their DUI case at all. Sitting down for a free consultation provides an opportunity to learn about the benefits of legal representation without a financial commitment.
2. Transparent Legal Fees and Payment Flexibility
Regardless of whether a DUI attorney provides free initial consultations, his or her legal fees should be 100% transparent. In other words, you should know exactly what your attorney is going to charge before you commit to moving forward.
We believe in providing clients with payment flexibility as well. If you are facing a DUI charge in Phoenix, we understand that you weren’t planning to pay for an attorney, and we understand if you will need to make payments over time.
3. Legal Advice Custom-Tailored to Your Case
When you hire a lawyer for your DUI case in Phoenix, you are entitled to expect legal advice that is custom-tailored to your case. After examining the facts of your case, your DUI attorney should provide the advice you need to make informed decisions based on your specific circumstances.
4. Legal Representation Custom-Tailored to Your Case
You are entitled to expect legal representation that is custom-tailored to your case as well. Whether you decide to target a plea bargain or you decide to fight your DUI charge in court, your attorney should use the specific facts and circumstances of your case to target a favorable resolution that mitigates the consequences of your arrest.
5. Timely Responses When You Get in Touch
When you need to talk to your DUI attorney, you can (and should) call or send an email or text. If your attorney can’t respond to your question immediately, your attorney should respond at the first available opportunity. If you are facing a DUI charge in Phoenix, being able to communicate with your attorney is extremely important. While your attorney won’t always be available to speak with you right away, your attorney should prioritize making sure you have the information and insights you need to feel confident in your defense.
What Not to Expect from Your Phoenix DUI Attorney
Now, what about what you shouldn’t expect? Here are five things not to expect from your Phoenix DUI attorney:
1. A Discount or Free Legal Services
You should not expect your Phoenix DUI attorney to provide a discount or to represent you for free. Arizona’s DUI laws are complex, and successfully defending against a DUI charge in Arizona requires in-depth legal knowledge that can only be gained from experience. When you hire a DUI attorney to represent you, you are paying for this knowledge and experience—and, if your attorney is able to help you avoid a DUI conviction (or help you avoid Arizona’s harshest possible penalties), the cost of your legal representation will be well worth it.
2. Immediate and 24/7 Availability Throughout Your DUI Case
While you should expect to receive timely responses from your DUI attorney, you should not expect your attorney to be immediately available 24/7 throughout your DUI case. Many law firms (including ours) accept calls 24/7 because individuals who have just been arrested may need legal representation on an emergency basis. But, if you aren’t facing an emergency, you may need to wait a short period of time until your attorney has a free moment to speak with you.
3. The Ability to Handle Your DUI Case Without Your Involvement
To handle your DUI case effectively, your attorney will need your help. Your attorney will need you to provide critical details, and your attorney will need you to make important decisions at various steps in the process. As a result, you should not expect your attorney to be able to handle your DUI case without your involvement.
4. Representation that Violates Your Attorney’s Ethical Responsibilities
You can (and should) expect your attorney to fight your DUI case by all legal means available. But, you should not expect your attorney to violate his or her ethical responsibilities. There are ways to fight DUI charges ethically regardless of the circumstances involved, and you should not expect your attorney to put his or her license in jeopardy.
5. A Guarantee of Success
Finally, no attorney can guarantee success in your DUI case. Fighting a DUI charge in court involves inherent uncertainty; and, even if you decide that you are willing to accept a plea bargain, there is no guarantee that prosecutors will be willing to negotiate.
Arrested for DUI in Phoenix? Contact Us for a Free and Confidential Consultation Today
Are you facing a DUI charge in Phoenix? If so, we encourage you to contact us promptly to discuss your case. To schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced Phoenix DUI attorney as soon as possible, call 480-493-0387 or tell us how we can reach you online now.
