Making irresponsible decisions such as driving impaired is, unfortunately, sometimes a part of being human, but perhaps the problems begin when you have to face the consequences. MADD reveals that in 2014 alone, more than a million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), the majority of whom were being influenced by narcotics or alcohol. The number of males arrested for drunk driving was about three times that of females. When driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you are endangering yourself as well as the people around you.
In Ontario, people who are arrested for DUI need to hire a lawyer themselves. There is an option of using a court-appointed attorney; however, it is advisable to hire a Toronto DUI lawyer on your own.
The advantages of hiring an experienced DUI attorney include expert counseling on things to say in court, foreknowledge of the court system, knowledge of what the best plea bargain entails, as well as learning how to manoeuver through difficult situations.
You could also choose to represent yourself, however, you may be doing yourself more harm as you may find the complex legal information put before you incomprehensible. This may lead you to make a very wrong decision. Also, when you opt for a public defender, s/he may not be interested in giving you the best counsel that you direly need.
Therefore, if you are in need of a DUI attorney, below are some things to keep in mind in order to find the best DUI lawyer in Toronto.
Research Extensively
The best DUI lawyer in Toronto is one who will show a vested interest in your case and determine the best way to help you in court. However, not all lawyers are alike. Each DUI case is unique and you need to research lawyers extensively before you choose the attorney who is best able to represent you in your DUI case.
With the aid of social media and the internet at large, your research shouldn’t be too difficult. Also, you may want to consult with your friends and family and ask for their recommendations on the best DUI attorney to hire.
Make a List of Potential Toronto-Based Lawyers
On a spreadsheet or written log, make a list of the DUI attorneys you are considering contacting. On your list, include information such as their name, phone number, specialty-area, home address, and email address. If you’ve reached out to them already and they have told you their fee, add a “cost” column in your list.
Choose a Qualified Lawyer for Your Case
Being a professional lawyer alone isn’t enough to determine if the person has the qualifications to handle your DUI case well. You should research if any of your potential lawyers have a prior malpractice citation or have previously faced any disciplinary actions.
Vet your list thoroughly and ensure that all the attorneys on it have a license to practice law in Ontario.
Book a Face-To-Face Appointment with Each Lawyer
It is important to find the time to sit down and have a meeting with the attorney who will be handling your DUI case in court. When you meet the attorney in person, you’ll be able to find out how the person works, if you’ll get along with him or her, and if the lawyer seems proficient enough for your case.
Before you attend the meeting, make a list of all the questions you want to ask the lawyer. Questions you should ask include how long they have been practicing law, where they completed their law degree, how many cases they have won or lost, how long they have been a DUI defense lawyer, and the number of DUI trials they have conducted.
When attending the meeting, bring all the necessary paperwork pertaining to your case so the lawyer will have a detailed overview of your case. Relax and handle the meeting as if it were a job interview in which you are the employer determining if you want to hire the lawyer.
