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Famous
ones probably charge a little more. If you are facing a minor and first offense,
you do not need to choose the cream of the crop. But if you have a severe case
and you have caused damage to life or property, you may want to get a more
experienced Florida DUI attorney. This would cost you more. The fee would be
small, however, compared to jail time (especially if you are sentenced to thirty
years).
Consider
several DUI attorneys before employing one to assess if fees charged to you are
reasonable.
Q:
What is the best resource for Florida DUI Attorneys?
One
of the best resources for Florida DUI Attorneys is the Internet. There are
several lawyer directories that are easy-to-use and are categorized according to
area. You can also go to your favorite search engine and key in "Florida
DUI Attorneys." You will find DUI lawyers with websites and even online
legal help. You can also check the local telephone directory and find one
nearest your area.
Q:
Do I really need attorney for my DUI case even if it is just a first offense?
It
is possible to just make a plea bargain with the District Attorney's Office. But
it could also mean more jail time than if you had retained an attorney,
especially if your case is serious.
Q:
How long will it take for the case to be solved?
Again,
this is entirely variable depending on the nature of the case. Upon arrest, you
have a maximum of ten days to make a special plea and save your license from
being revoked indefinitely. Upon submission of written request, a
"pretrial" will follow and it is here where the lawyer can negotiate
to not go to the trial itself and close the case from there. But if the case has
to go to trial because of a serious or a complex case, then it may take from a
month to a year depending on the number of cases charged like vehicular
homicide. The trial itself is held within the six months the plea was submitted.
Q:
Will my lawyer walk me through the whole process and constantly update me on my
case?
A
good lawyer should be able to update you on your case regularly and is fairly
reachable even in off-hours (if there is an emergency). This should be the case
especially if you are paying your lawyer well. Be sure to ask this question to
your prospective lawyer even before you employ his or her services.
Q:
What are included in the lawyer's fees exactly?
This
depends a lot on the attorney. Some charge by the hour and others will require
an initial payment for retainer fees. Be sure to sign an agreement with your
lawyer regarding what the fees will cover and the terms of additional costs.
By
Josh Riverside
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