California has the highest DUI arrest and conviction rates in U.S. so understandably DUI lawyers in California are easy to find. There is plenty of demand for DWI and DUI-related legal defense services.
However, while it’s easy to find DUI lawyers – California has an estimated 10,000 DUI lawyers – the amount of choice makes choosing just one a difficult task. And certainly you need to choose your DUI lawyer with care.
- For one thing, any lawyer can advertise as a “California DUI lawyer”. There is no requirement that such a claim be supported.
- Secondly, California DUI laws are particularly stringent, often complex and subject to change – with severe penalties. When it come to weeding out the “best” DUI lawyers in California, you need to set your standards higher than if you were looking for a DUI lawyer elsewhere in the U.S.
How to find the best California DUI lawyers
Firstly, you should follow the “standard routine” for finding the best DUI lawyers, anywhere, but follow it rigorously. You should be particularly sure to:
- follow through on advice that you meet with each shortlisted DUI lawyer
- and ensure you get answers to the essential questions to ask a DUI lawyer.
When looking for the best DUI lawyers in California you should also ask the following question:
- Are you a member of the California DUI Lawyers Association (CDLA) or National College for DUI Defense (NCDD)?
Members of these organizations are verified to have a certain level of expertise and experience as DUI lawyers. California lawyers who are members of one or both will be the best available.
This information may be available at DUI lawyer websites. If not, be sure to ask when you meet.
However, bear in mind that DUI lawyers who are not a member of these organizations they may nonetheless have the necessary experience and expertise to provide an very effective DUI defense. The “standard questions” will help you determine if this is the case. In addition, your DUI case may not warrant the hiring (and additional expense) of a top-tier DUI lawyer. In many cases it will be sufficient to find a good California DUI lawyer.
Ultimately when looking for good DUI lawyers in California you will be best served by maintaining a healthy level of skepticism.
While California has a high number of DUI lawyers it also has its fair share of lawyers who are not up to scratch – and by no means “the best”.
As a fellow DUI Lawyer, but practicing in Ohio, this sounds like pretty good advice to me.