Facing a driving under the influence (DUI) charge in Harrisburg, PA can be a scary situation, especially if it’s your first time dealing with the criminal justice system. You’ll definitely want to hire a DUI attorney in Dauphin to guide you through the legal process, so look for these qualities that you’ll find in top DUI lawyers to help you make your hiring decisions.

10 Qualities You’ll Find in the Top Harrisburg, PA DUI Defense Lawyers

Knowledge

You must hire a DUI lawyer in Harrisburg with extensive knowledge of DUI law and the legal system. This is non-negotiable because criminal law changes frequently and you need someone who is up-to-date on the current laws to be able to provide you with a solid defense.

Seek out a DUI attorney in Dauphin County who is a member of several associations that provide them with newsletters, seminars, conferences, and courses that keep them abreast of the ever-changing DUI laws and the criminal justice system in general.

Experience

Just as important as knowledge for a DUI lawyer in Harrisburg is experience. Check the previous number of DUI cases any potential DUI lawyer has handled and the outcomes of those cases before you commit to hiring one. You should hire a DUI attorney in Dauphin County that has been the lead defense attorney on dozens of DUI cases to ensure they know what they’re doing when they present your case to the prosecutor for a plea bargain or to a judge and jury during a trial.

Verify that the Harrisburg, PA DUI defense lawyer has experience with both negotiating plea bargains and taking cases to court, as they require two different skill sets that not every DUI lawyer has. Ask to see the results of several DUI cases to see that the attorney has been able to negotiate or win excellent outcomes for their clients. These outcomes could include staying out of jail or not losing a driver’s license, but they should align with your goals in your case.

Communication Skills

Most people don’t become lawyers unless they know how to communicate effectively. After all, a large portion of their job is to persuade others that their clients are innocent. However, while most DUI attorneys in Dauphin County know how to speak and write well, not all of them are great listeners. You want an attorney who can listen to your accounting of the case and determine the best way to approach your defense, instead of using a cookie-cutter approach with everyone.

A great communicator will also be able to speak on your behalf as they negotiate a plea bargain or the terms and conditions of your release. You want them to be able to communicate your wishes and needs to the prosecutor in a way that humanizes you to get the best resolution possible. The way your DUI lawyer in Harrisburg presents you to the prosecution (or jury and judge, if it gets that far) is critical to the outcome of your case.

Confidentiality

A main reason for hiring a Harrisburg, PA DUI defense lawyer is knowing that you can tell them anything and they can’t betray your confidence. An attorney takes an oath to keep all communications with a client confidential, which is vital to winning your case. Your DUI attorney needs to know all the facts related to your case to present the best defense possible, so you should feel comfortable telling them the entire truth without worrying they’ll use the truth against you.

Certainly, most DUI lawyers in Harrisburg take this oath extremely personally and would never jeopardize a client’s case by revealing their secrets; but you should feel confident that whatever you say to your DUI attorney in Dauphin County will never leave their office unless it’s beneficial to your case. If you have any misgivings at all about a potential attorney, look for a different one who has a strong track record of keeping their clients’ information confidential. To determine this, check for complaints in client reviews.

Personal Investment

You’ll also want an attorney who takes your case personally. This will be evident in the way your Harrisburg, PA DUI defense lawyer fights for you with the prosecutor during plea bargain negotiations or in court. A DUI lawyer who is personally invested in your case will do everything within their power to get you the lightest sentence possible or to get the charges dismissed altogether. You don’t want someone who is focused on pleading every single case just to get the cases over.

There are some attorneys who will strongly encourage you to take the first offer the prosecutor makes, even if it’s not the best solution in your case. Don’t settle for a lawyer who doesn’t treat your case like the unique situation it is. Not every plea bargain is right for every client, and in fact, your situation may require a court case to settle if the right plea bargain can’t be struck. Make sure your DUI attorney in Dauphin County approaches your case individually.

Payment Flexibility

While you’ll have to pay any DUI lawyer you retain for representation to defend you against your charges, you may not be able to pay everything upfront. You shouldn’t be deprived of excellent representation just because you can’t pay their total fee before they’ll take your case. Look for a DUI lawyer in Harrisburg that offers payment flexibility that allows you to take advantage of a top-notch defense while making payments over time or in another way that works for your financial situation.

Be sure to ask about an attorney’s billing practices and fees before you agree to representation. All good DUI lawyers are transparent about what they charge and how they charge. You’ll discover that hiring an attorney is expensive, but it will still save you money over the course of the case by reducing the amount of fines and penalties you have to pay, and by fast-tracking your case through the system thanks to their extensive knowledge of the legal process.

Honesty

Even if you don’t want to hear it, knowing the best and worst possible outcomes of your case is beneficial as you acknowledge the realities of your situation. You want a DUI attorney in Dauphin County who will tell you exactly what you need to hear about your case rather than what you want to hear. If your case can be resolved without a jail sentence or losing your license, you should know that, but if it can’t, you should know that, too.

Understanding the penalties that you’re facing is vital even if your attorney is able to negotiate a better outcome than expected. This way, you can prepare yourself and your family members for the potential consequences of your DUI. It’s better to be prepared for the worst-case scenario and not have it come to pass than to expect the best outcome and have to deal with the disappointment of a harsh penalty, up to and including a jail sentence.

A Harrisburg, PA DUI Defense Lawyer is Respectful of Your Time

Your DUI lawyer is going to be busy, but that doesn’t mean they can take advantage of your time when you schedule an appointment or need them to be at a hearing in court. You want a Harrisburg, PA DUI defense lawyer who is punctual and respectful of your time (and that of the court) when working on your case. You shouldn’t expect them to drop everything they’re doing when you call, but when you’ve made an appointment, you should expect their undivided attention.

A DUI defense is only as good as the DUI attorney who presents it, so make sure your DUI lawyer in Harrisburg is the best you can afford. Contact James Stone Law to see how our attorneys will approach your case and deliver the best possible outcome, whether that’s avoiding jail, keeping your driver’s license, or both.