If you are facing a DUI in Philadelphia, there are several reasons why you will want to hire an experienced DUI lawyer to represent you. This is true even if you got caught driving drunk.

When you hire a Philadelphia DUI lawyer to represent you, you are entitled to certain expectations. At the same time, however, it is important to ensure that your expectations are reasonable—as having unreasonable expectations can lead to uninformed decision-making. So, what can (and should) you expect from your Philadelphia DUI lawyer?

7 Reasonable Expectations When You Hire a Philadelphia DUI Lawyer to Represent You

Here is what we believe you are entitled to expect when you hire a Philadelphia DUI lawyer to represent you:

1. A Free, No-Obligation Initial Consultation

Hiring a lawyer to represent you should start with scheduling a free, no-obligation initial consultation. Once you contact a law firm, you should be able to schedule a consultation promptly—as the early stages of a DUI case in Philadelphia can move quickly, and as you will need legal representation to avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your defense.

Your free initial consultation should serve two main purposes: First, it should serve as an opportunity to meet with a lawyer one-on-one and decide whether you are prepared to move forward. If you meet with a lawyer and are not confident in his or her abilities, you should contact another law firm promptly. Your DUI case is too important to take chances on your legal representation.

Second, it should serve as an opportunity to begin learning about your situation. Facing a DUI charge in Philadelphia presents significant risks, and there is a lot you need to know in order to make informed decisions about your defense. During your free initial consultation, your lawyer should be able to provide the insights you need to feel confident in your next steps.

2. Straightforward and Transparent Legal Fees

You should also leave your free initial consultation with a clear understanding of what your legal representation is going to cost you. Your lawyer’s fee structure should be straightforward, and your lawyer should be fully transparent about the costs you will incur during your DUI case.

Your legal fees should be clearly documented in your engagement agreement, and your engagement agreement should also clearly state when payments are due. This way, you will know exactly what you have to pay and when, and you won’t receive any surprise legal bills during (or after) your case.

3. Identification of All Viable Defenses to Your DUI Charge

When you are facing a DUI charge in Pennsylvania, you need to be prepared to defend yourself by all means available. This starts with identifying all viable defenses to your DUI charge.

There are several potential defenses to DUI charges under Pennsylvania law. However, not all defenses are available in all cases. To make informed decisions about how to approach your DUI case, you need to know which defenses you can assert in court.

You can expect your DUI lawyer to identify these defenses for you. By analyzing the facts of your case, your DUI lawyer should be able to determine what options you have for challenging the prosecution’s case against you. Depending on the circumstances at hand, these options could range from disputing the sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence to fighting to keep the prosecution’s evidence out of court.

4. Advice About Your Options Based on Your Personal Circumstances

After analyzing the facts of your case, your DUI lawyer should also be able to provide advice about your options based on your personal circumstances. Broadly speaking, there are three options for how to approach a DUI case in Pennsylvania:

  • Fight your DUI case in Pennsylvania state court;
  • Enter into Pennsylvania’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program (if you are eligible); or,
  • Focus on negotiating a plea bargain that mitigates the consequences of your arrest.

Each of these can be more or less desirable depending on the circumstances at hand. You can expect your lawyer to clearly explain the benefits and risks of each of these options so that you can make an informed decision.

5. Proactive and Strategic Legal Representation

Whichever option you choose, you can expect your lawyer to provide proactive and strategic legal representation. Your lawyer should be prepared to do everything he or she possibly can (within the Rules of Professional Conduct) to protect you against unnecessary life-altering consequences. In many cases, a proactive approach to defending against a DUI charge will help facilitate an efficient, favorable, and relatively low-cost resolution.

6. Assistance with Making Critical Decisions About Your Case

As your DUI case in Philadelphia progresses, you will need to make several critical decisions. At some point, this may include deciding whether to accept a plea deal or take your case to trial. Your lawyer should provide assistance with making these critical decisions, though what you decide to do will ultimately be up to you.

7. A Commitment to Your Best Interests

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you can expect your Philadelphia DUI lawyer to be committed to your best interests. You can expect your lawyer to advise you with your best interests in mind, and you can expect your lawyer to put in the time to handle your case when necessary. While all lawyers have an ethical responsibility to provide diligent and competent legal representation, an experienced DUI lawyer will want to help you by all legal means available.

Arrested for DUI in Philadelphia? Schedule a Free Consultation at The Fishman Firm Today

Brian Fishman is an experienced DUI lawyer and former Philadelphia prosecutor who is committed to helping his clients avoid unnecessary and unwarranted consequences. If you are facing a DUI charge in Philadelphia, we encourage you to contact us for more information. To schedule a free consultation at The Fishman Firm as soon as possible, give us a call at 267-758-2228 or tell us how we can reach you online now.