What to Look for When Choosing the Best DUI Lawyer
Whether it is your first offense or not, if you are facing criminal charges relating to driving under the influence, it is wise to get the best DUI lawyer you can. Having proper defense is your best chance at avoiding jail time and excessive fines related to a DUI charge.
If you or a loved one is in need of an attorney in the Worcester, Massachusetts area, please do not hesitate to contact Rudolf, Smith, Griffis & Ruggieri, LLP: (508) 570-3037. We offer free consultations to review your case and assess how we can best be of service for your defense.
All the Names for Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is what we say colloquially when we talk about driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Driving under the influence, or DUI, is the most common acronym to refer to this. However, in Massachusetts, the legal term is “operating under the influence,” or OUI.
There are several other variations, but the subject remains the same. Regardless of what you call it, OUI or DUI, if you are charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, you are facing criminal charges and must decide on what legal support you want.
Knowing What to Look For in the Best DUI Lawyers
To begin with, when you are charged with a DUI, it “normally leads to two separate proceedings: ‘administrative per se’ proceedings with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and then a criminal court case. The best DUI lawyers will be present to represent you for both proceedings. (1)
Since some of the legal consequences are legally mandated, that means there is little wiggle-room for your defense to convince the judge to adjust the punishment. However, there are other areas in which having the best DUI lawyer makes a difference. An attorney with experience can: (2)
- Reduce or eliminate jail time;
- Eliminate a revoked license;
- Reduce your DUI, or OUI, charge to a lesser offense, and/or
- Avoid trial with a plea bargain.
If your attorney does not have the adequate time to properly handle your case, it will greatly reduce the effectiveness of their work. However, when you have an attorney that gives your case the attention it deserves, you will receive advice rooted in experience, well-negotiated plea bargains, and properly handled motions, to name a few just a few advantages.
The criminal law practice at Rudolf, Smith, Griffis & Ruggieri, LLP diligently distributes and manages caseloads so that attention is never compromised. If you live in or near Worcester, MA, contact us for a free consultation: (508) 570-3037. We’ll be happy to discuss the services we offer and how we may be able to help you. Feel free to refer to the questions outlined below to help you make your decision.
Questions to ask when searching for the best DUI lawyer:
- How much of your criminal defense practice is devoted to OUI cases?
- How much of my OUI case will you actually handle?
- How many OUI cases have you defended?
- Are you aware of the state’s breathalyzer requirements and/or loopholes?
- What are your attorney’s fees, and how are they calculated? (2)
Sources:
https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/beat-ticket-book/chapter8-5.html
https://dui.findlaw.com/dui-laws-resources/hire-a-dui-lawyer.html