Finding A Good DUI Defense Attorney
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Finding and choosing a California DUI lawyer in a drunk driving case can be a difficult process; there are many incompetent, inexperienced and/or unethical attorneys who will readily accept DUI clients. However, asking the following questions can be helpful in retaining a good DUI defense attorney:
- DUI defense is a technical and highly specialized field: Does the lawyer handle DUI cases only — or does he accept other types of criminal or civil cases as well? (This would be like a family doctor attempting brain surgery, cancer research and heart transplants.) What percentage of the attorney's caseload consists of DUI Cases?
- Does the lawyer have access to technical expert witnesses in police procedures and blood/breath analysis? Will blood samples be reanalyzed by a lab? Will breathalyzer and maintenance records be obtained?
- Does the attorney make promises as to the results he can get in the case? This is something no ethical attorney would do, as specific results are unpredictable.
- Are fees fully explained and set forth in a written contract? Is the fee simply an initial retainer, or is it all inclusive? Do the fees cover such "extras" as the DMV license hearing, expert testimony, blood reanalysis, trial, subpoena costs, etc.?
- What is the lawyer's rating with the Martindale-Hubbell International Directory of Attorneys? (The highest rating for competence and ethics is AV: "very high to preeminent".)
- Did the lawyer attend a reputable law school?
- Is he a member of the National College for DUI Defense? Is he Board-certified by that organization?
- Have there been any State Bar complaints against the attorney?
The following California lawyers and law firms specialize in drunk driving defense, are members of the National College for DUI Defense and are reported to have excellent reputations in the field:
Law Offices of Lawrence Taylor: California DUI Attorneys
Offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County, Marin County, Riverside and San Diego. AV-rated 11-attorney firm, averaging 14 years experience, accepts DUI clients only. A UC Berkeley graduate, Taylor is a former prosecutor and Fulbright Professor of Law, former Dean of the National College for DUI Defense, Board-certified and the author of the standard book in the field, Drunk Driving Defense. This large firm is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and is apparently unique in having a technical support staff of former law enforcement experts and officers.
Law Office of Darryl Genis: Santa Barbara DUI Lawyer
Office in Santa Barbara. A Loyola Marymount graduate, Genis has handled in excess of 4500 DUI cases over the past 27 years, is government-certified as both a breathalyzer operator and a field sobriety testing instructor, and is a member of the National College for DUI Defense. Practices DUI defense exclusively in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo.
Law Office of James M. Webster: Central Valley DUI Attorney
Office in Sonora. Webster is a former Chief Prosecutor with over 25 years criminal litigation experience, and a member of the National College for DUI Defense. Represents clients in the counties of Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera, Stanislaus, Merced, San Joaquin and Amador.
Law Office of Jeffrey C. Stotter: Northern Valley DUI Attorney
Office in Redding. Mr. Stotter is a graduate of UC Irvine and Syracuse University College of Law, served as a deputy district attorney, has 16 years experience and is a member of the National College for DUI Defense. Shasta, Siskiyou, Trinity and Tehama Counties.
Law Office of Terry A. Wapner: Central Valley DUI Attorney
Office in Fresno. Mr. Wapner is a USC graduate, a former prosecutor with 19 years experience, and has been certified in field sobriety testing. Member, National College for DUI Defense. Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus, Kings and Tulare Counties.
For listings of other DUI defense attorneys in California and in other states, the following resource can be helpful:
The National College for DUI Defense
A national organization of approximately 800 attorneys specializing in drunk driving litigation. Dedicated to the continuing education of the criminal defense Bar, the College hosts an annual 3-day seminar at Harvard Law School.
California DUI: A Drunk Driving Law Guide is intended to counter the political pressures of extremist groups seeking the passage of unfair laws, the erosion of constitutional rights and the eventual return of prohibition. The National Motorists Association sets forth its positions on controversial drunk driving issues, such as unconstitutional roadblocks, overemphasis on breath alcohol tests, unfair criminal penalties and the imposition of "automatic" license suspensions. See also "Responsibility in DUI Laws, Inc.", an organization dedicated to reforming harsh and misdirected DUI laws.
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