How can I get a good attorney to help me with my DUI case? 47 Answers as of March 12, 2012

More to the point, if you already handled the DUI, went to court, paid your fines, did your time, finished your probation, etc. That case is over. If you didn't, and there is an arrest warrant out for you, then yes, you need an attorney.

If your dui was 10 years ago you should be able to go to the dps and ask them what needs to be done to clear up your record. If you are unsuccessful you should then contact an attorney.

The best way to find a good attorney is to consult with friends who have hired attorneys in the past and had good results or contact the Bar Association.

Check the phone book for criminal lawyers with many years of experience.

You can search LawQA or the California State Bar.

Run a Google search for DUI attorneys in the area where the court is, then interview the ones that look good.

You should look for someone with experience, that you get along with, who is charging you fees that you can afford, and is personable enough that they will return your calls and answer your questions. Really, it's a question of who you are comfortable with and who you can trust. There are pros and cons to any lawyer you hire. There are some lawyers who specialize and devote their entire careers around defending these cases. They have a knowledge base and expertise which is very difficult to replicate. However, they tend to charge the most money. Unless you have significant financial resources available, they may not be interested in taking your case. There are some general practitioners who practice lots of areas of law and take these cases as well. They may charge the least amount of money. Some of these general practitioners know their local area so well they can get great results for their clients regardless of the circumstances. However, there are some general practitioners who may not be interested in devoting the time and effort to properly defend the matter and may just simply try to convince you to accept the first plea-bargain that comes along. In some situations, regardless of who you hire, your options may still be the same. If the facts are very strong for the prosecutor, there some situations where there is little any defense attorney can do other than try to negotiate the best possible plea. If you don't want to spend the money to retain a lawyer, the court may appoint you a lawyer payable at the public's expense if you are eligible. The availability of court-appointed council and quality of court-appointed representation varies significantly from county to county and court to court. Communication issues, money concerns, and disagreements over strategy are often the big reasons why an attorney-client relationship breaks down. Asking around may be a good way to find a lawyer, but more importantly, make the phone calls yourself and talk to them.

The best way to locate a good attorney is by asking for references. If you don't know anyone to ask, then make a few phone calls until you find someone who you feel comfortable with.

You may not need an attorney - go to DMV and get a copy of your record. They may be able to assist you and tell you what steps you need to take to have your license reinstated.

Contact DPS to determine what needs to be done. You don't need a lawyer.