Being arrested for driving under the influence can create immediate uncertainty about your license, your freedom, your finances, and your future. A DUI conviction in Florida can be costly and may carry significant long-term consequences. Depending on the circumstances of the case, those consequences can become even more serious. That makes choosing the right Tampa DUI defense attorney an important decision.

There are many criminal defense lawyers in the Tampa area, but not every attorney has the same background, courtroom experience, or approach to DUI cases. Before hiring a lawyer, it is important to learn as much as you can about the attorney who may be responsible for protecting your interests.

Look for Specific DUI Defense Experience

Many people begin searching for a DUI lawyer online or by asking friends and family for recommendations. Either approach can be a useful starting point, but a referral alone should not determine whom you hire.

Attorneys often practice in several different areas of law, and experience in one field does not necessarily translate into extensive experience handling DUI charges. When evaluating a Tampa DUI defense attorney, ask specifically about the lawyer’s experience defending people accused of driving under the influence.

That experience should not necessarily be limited to routine or first-time DUI cases. Some DUI charges involve more complicated circumstances, including allegations involving serious bodily injury or death. An attorney familiar with serious and aggravated DUI cases may be better prepared to identify the legal and factual issues that could affect the prosecution’s case.

Ask About Criminal Trial Experience

Many Florida criminal cases are resolved without a trial through some form of negotiated agreement. However, that does not mean trial experience is unimportant when choosing a DUI lawyer.

A defense attorney should be prepared to evaluate all available options. Depending on the case, that may include negotiating with prosecutors, filing and arguing pretrial motions, or taking the case to trial when doing so is in the client’s best interest.

An attorney’s willingness and ability to go to trial can also influence negotiations. Prosecutors know which defense attorneys are prepared to litigate a case rather than simply accept whatever resolution is initially offered.

When meeting with a prospective Tampa DUI attorney, ask about the lawyer’s criminal trial experience and approach to cases that cannot be resolved through negotiations.

Consider Experience in Tampa-Area Courts

Knowledge of Florida DUI law is important, but local courtroom experience can also make a difference.

An attorney who regularly practices in local courts may be familiar with the prosecutors, judges, court procedures, and other practical aspects of the local criminal justice system. Although Florida DUI laws apply statewide, individual courts and the people working within them can differ.

Local experience can help an attorney understand what to expect from prosecutors, how particular judges may approach certain issues, what local court procedures require, and how cases commonly progress through the system.

For someone charged with DUI in Tampa, choosing an attorney familiar with the Tampa-area criminal courts should therefore be part of the decision-making process.

Make Sure You Are Comfortable Talking to Your Lawyer

A DUI case may involve facts that are difficult or embarrassing to discuss. Nevertheless, your criminal defense attorney needs accurate and complete information to properly evaluate your situation.

Withholding information can create serious problems if your lawyer later learns something unexpected from a prosecutor, police report, witness, or other source. Your attorney should learn important facts from you whenever possible rather than being surprised by them later.

For that reason, consider whether you feel comfortable speaking openly and honestly with the attorney you are thinking about hiring.

An initial consultation provides an opportunity not only for the attorney to learn about your situation, but also for you to decide whether you believe you can establish the kind of attorney-client relationship necessary to work together effectively.

Choose a DUI Attorney Who Listens

Legal knowledge is only one part of effective DUI representation.

Every person charged with DUI has different circumstances, priorities, and concerns. One person may be primarily concerned about the potential criminal penalties, while another may be worried about how the case could affect employment, family responsibilities, or other aspects of life.

Your DUI defense lawyer should take the time to understand your individual situation rather than treating your case as interchangeable with every other DUI case.

Pay attention to how the attorney communicates with you during your first conversation. Does the attorney listen carefully? Does the lawyer ask questions about the facts of your case? Does the attorney seem interested in your concerns and priorities?

Those initial conversations can tell you a great deal about what working with that lawyer may be like.

Finding a Tampa DUI Defense Attorney

Choosing a DUI attorney should involve more than finding the first name that appears in an online search. Look for specific DUI defense experience, criminal trial experience, familiarity with local courts, and an attorney who listens to you and makes you comfortable enough to communicate openly.

The right defense strategy will depend on the specific circumstances surrounding your arrest. An attorney should be prepared to examine those circumstances, identify potential weaknesses or issues in the prosecution’s case, consider possible negotiated resolutions, pursue appropriate pretrial motions, and be prepared for trial when necessary.

If you have been arrested or charged with DUI in Tampa, speaking with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible can help you better understand the situation you are facing and the options available to you.

Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group represents people facing criminal charges in the Tampa, Florida area. If you are dealing with a DUI charge, contact Brunvand, Wise & Farinella Law Group to discuss your case and learn more about your defense options.