Meeting with a DUI defense attorney for the first time can seem overwhelming. The whole situation is already nerve-wracking enough, and sitting across from a legal expert to discuss what options you have can often make it seem even more stressful.

One way to ensure the interaction goes smoothly is to know what to expect before taking the meeting. That’s why we’ve created this helpful guide that covers what you should expect to discuss during your initial meeting with a Sacramento defense attorney.

Topics of discussion for the initial meeting with a Sacramento defense attorney

The attorney’s experience

The first meeting with a Sacramento defense attorney is just as much about you learning about the attorney as it is about them learning about your case. You need to ensure the counsel you’re hiring is equipped to argue your case and obtain an optimal outcome on your behalf.

As such, it’s important to ask questions such as how long they have been practicing law, have they handled any similar cases, and what type of outcomes they have achieved for past clients. Knowing this background information can help give you confidence knowing you’ve found the right professional for your needs.

The payment structure

On top of the attorney’s credentials, it’s also essential to discuss the payment structure for your defense. Many Sacramento defense attorneys happily provide a free initial consultation, although some may charge a fee just to discuss your case. Beyond the initial consultation,

it’s also helpful to understand whether or not they charge an hourly rate or a flat fee for their services. This kind of information can help you decide whether the decision to hire the attorney makes sense for you financially and what overall costs you can expect at the conclusion of your case.

The incident itself

If the Sacramento defense attorney seems like a good fit for your case, the next step is to discuss the incident itself. For this part, it’s helpful to be as exhaustive and descriptive as possible so the attorney has a thorough understanding of what led up to the DUI arrest.

Details such as how much you had to drink before driving, what caused the police to pull you over initially, what took place during the stop, and whether or not there were any witnesses present are crucial pieces of information the attorney needs to know. The more information you can provide, the better equipped the attorney will be to defend your case.

Whether or not you can continue to drive

When a person gets charged with a DUI in California, the state suspends that person’s driving privileges for six to ten months. This can be highly problematic for someone who needs to drive either for personal reasons or for their job, but the right Sacramento defense attorney can help.

If you need to continue driving while the case is being processed, your attorney can represent you during the DMV hearing that takes place after being charged. If they can successfully argue your case at this stage, they can get you access to a restricted license so you can stay on the road until your case reaches a conclusion.

Have you been charged with a DUI in California?

You don’t have to navigate this complex legal procedure alone. As one of the premier defense attorneys in Sacramento, Taxman DUI Defense has everything you need to argue your case in the court of law. Steven Taxman has more than twenty years of experience practicing criminal defense law, and he’ll work with you to achieve the best outcome possible depending on your unique circumstances. You can see some of his glowing testimonials online, or contact Taxman DUI Defense now to schedule your free consultation.