Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Criminal Defense Lawyer in Los Angeles

Despite the fact that DUI are charged as a misdemeanor in their first crime, their cases are prosecuted with the same aggressive force as serious crimes in Los Angeles. Driving under the influence occurs when a person is operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, to the extent that their mental abilities are impaired and or blood alcohol level is above the limit.

A DUI first offense normally result in a substantial fines, license suspension, community service and a compulsory class to a program approved by the state DMV. When someone is arrested for a DUI in Los Angeles, they are to spend the night in jail, and sometimes are required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. Offender in general, will remain a convict for several years, resulting in bad credit and higher insurance premiums.

If you have been convicted, is very important to contact an experienced lawyer immediately. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help identify important issues before trial and dramatically improve your chances during the case.

5 steps to find a criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles
  1. Have a knowledge of the crime you have been charged with. Recommendations for criminal lawyers from your colleagues and friends is a good one. Word of mouth is a great way to find a lawyer that is right for you. Recommendation by someone you trust will give more confidence hiring a criminal defense legal representation.
  2. Do research online to expand your list. The internet is a good place to find good criminal lawyers. Simply type in the field of law and consultation to determine your location. For example, "the drug trafficking attorney in San Diego", or more precisely, "Riverside criminal attorney"
  3. Research from the list of lawyers that have been put together. Find out how long they have been practicing criminal law (rule of thumb is at least 10 years), the number of criminal litigation law court who have won / lost. In the State Bar of California website, you can find a lawyer for the education of undergraduate and law school and how long they have been admitted to the bar.
  4. Ask about fees for the Legal representation. According to counsel, the fees can vary widely from $100 per hour to over $750/hour. Get the timing of their costs in advance to know exactly what you are going to pay.
  5. Take time to meet with the lawyer in person. Be sure to see if there is an initial consultation fee before the meeting. Ask as many questions relating to criminal cases as possible. Get a general sense of how comfortable you feel and if he / she is competent enough to represent you in court. Does the defense counsel ask appropriate questions? Does he or she handle the case or let the junior partners do the job? Ask to see their history in writing and then go to court and check it before you hire a criminal defense lawyer.

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