If you were recently arrested for a DUI in Clearwater, St. Petersburg or the surrounding cities of Pinellas County, you will likely be bombarded with advertisements from local (and non-local) attorneys who are offering their services. As with any service related industry, these lawyers have varying degrees of skill, training, experience. The soliciting lawyer will have his or her own reputation within the legal community. It is important for you to ask the right questions before you retain a DUI Defense Attorney.
Below are 10 questions that may aid you in making your decision as to who is the best DUI lawyer to defend your case and seek the best possible outcome:'
1. Is the lawyer a former State Prosecutor?
In our opinion, there is no better way for learning how the prosecutor will analyze and interpret your case than having a former prosecutor as your lawyer. Your attorney will have the benefit of knowing the internal processes and can anticipate the “moves” that the prosecutor will make.
2. What percentage of the lawyer’s practice is dedicated to the defense of DUI cases?There are many lawyers that “handle” DUI cases. There are very few that can say that DUI defense makes up a majority of their practice. So, ask this question: is the attorney a lawyer who handles DUI cases, or is he a DUI Defense lawyer?
3. Does the lawyer belong to any nationwide DUI Defense organizations?One way to distinguish the lawyers that handle DUI cases from a true DUI defense lawyer is to inquire whether the attorney belongs to any nationwide DUI organizations. Membership in organizations such as the DUI Defense Lawyers Association and the National College of DUI Defense often signifies a lawyer who is dedicated to achieving the highest levels of DUI defense.
4. How frequently does the lawyer attend seminars that are dedicated to further the lawyer’s education and effectiveness as an advocate?Competently defending a DUI requires that the advocate constantly further his education by educating himself on this ever-changing area of law. DUI’s require specialized knowledge in search and seizure issues, administrative law, forensic chemistry, toxicology and the Florida rules of Evidence.
5. Has the lawyer been trained in the proper administration of the Intoxilyzer 8000?If your case involves a breath test result that is above a .08, you would be well-advised to seek the assistance of a lawyer who has been trained in the proper administration of breath tests utilizing the Intoxilyzer 8000. After all, if the lawyer is unfamiliar with how to properly administer a breath test, how will he know if the police officer did something wrong that could result in the suppression of the breath test results?
6. Has the attorney been trained in the proper inspection of the Intoxilyzer 8000?To properly defend a DUI case involving a breath test, your DUI defense lawyer should have an expert understanding of the inspection process for the machine. If the breath test device was not properly calibrated and maintained, a skilled advocate may be able to secure the suppression of the breath test results.
7. How many DUI cases has the lawyer taken to trial in the previous five years?The prosecutor on your case will certainly know whether your lawyer is the type of attorney who takes cases to trial, or whether the attorney simply takes the last best deal, and so should you. While the facts of every case are different, you should know whether the lawyer has a reputation for “going the distance” and seeking a Not Guilty verdict when appropriate, or whether the lawyer simply takes the “last best deal.”
8. How many Motions to Suppress or evidentiary hearings relating to DUI cases has the attorney litigated in the previous five years?As noted above, DUI cases are complex. If your lawyer is not regularly litigating DUI cases through evidentiary hearings, it may be a sign that he or she does not have an intimate understanding of search and seizure issues.
9. Did the lawyer’s advertisement list the price of his or her legal service?If you were recently arrested for a DUI, you are likely worried about the cost. Some attorneys take advantage of this fear by advertising a price on their advertising literature. Imagine going to have your car repaired and having the mechanic tell you the price before he looks under the hood. Because every case is different, you want a lawyer who is going to give your case the individual attention it deserves, rather than a “one size fits all” approach.
10. Does the lawyer practice exclusively in Pinellas County, or is his practice spread over a larger geographic area? Every county handles DUI cases differently. Likewise, the judges and prosecutors have varying practice preferences throughout the state. Is your lawyer appearing in front of the Pinellas County traffic court judges regularly, or is Pinellas County just one of many places that the lawyer visits? While there is certainly no such thing as a “home field advantage” in DUI defense, having a lawyer who deals with the same judges and prosecutors every single day provides a level of insight that would otherwise be lacking.
If you are charged with a DUI in Pinellas County, we are lawyers that can help!
If you are a loved one has been charged with a DUI in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Oldsmar, Tarpon Springs, Largo, Safety Harbor, Belleair, Indian Rocks, Indian Shores, Redington Shores, Treasure Island, Gulfport, Kenneth City, Pinellas Park, St. Pete Beach, or Tierra Verde, call us at (727) 578-0303. The members of our DUI team have the following credentials:
- Former State Prosecutors
- Member of DUI Defense Lawyers Association
- Member of the National College of DUI Defense
- Trained in breath testing on the Intoxilyzer 8000
- Certified as an inspector of the Intoxilyzer 8000
- Frequent attendees at DUI seminars
- Exclusively Practicing in Pinellas County
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The Law Offices of Russo Pelletier & Sullivan, P.A.
9721 Executive Center Drive North
Suite #120
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
If you have a traffic ticket or a criminal case resulting from a traffic stop in Pinellas County, we can help! Call our office today at 727-578-0303.
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