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HOW TO CHOOSE A DUI LAWYER

How does a person recently charged with a driving under the influence (DUI) distinguish between those DUI Lawyers who really are DUI Lawyers who specialize in DUI versus those who don’t?  Well for starters, you may want to look at their track record.

Is The Attorney A Member Of, Or A Leader Of Specialized DUI Lawyer’s Groups

You want to be sure the DUI Lawyer belongs to organizations that focus on defending those charged with DUI, such as the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) and the California DUI Lawyers’ Association (CDLA).  These lawyers are more likely to focus their practices on defending those charged with DUI, and are thus more well-informed as to any changes in DUI laws and/or the DUI defenses that may be associated with a DUI charge.  If the lawyer is also a “Specialized Member” of CDLA or better yet, “Board Certified” in DUI Defense by one of these organizations under the American Bar Association’s regulations then you can feel more confident in your decision.

You may also want to ask if the DUI Lawyer has held leadership roles in any of these organizations or has taught continuing legal education courses at seminars sponsored by these organizations or by the California State Bar Association.  Ask the “DUI Lawyer” you are considering whether he or she belongs to these organizations and of his or her training in defending those charged with Driving Under the Influence.  Mr. Simons has been a Leader and a Teacher in these Organizations

 

Is The Attorney A Recognized Author In DUI Defense

In choosing a DUI Lawyer it is important to choose an attorney who keeps up with the case law and the statutory changes relating to DUI, not only in California but also throughout the country as issues that arise in other states may eventually make their way to our state. An example of one of the leading treatises on DUI Defense in California is Mr. Simons work California Drunk Driving Law

 

 

Is The Lawyer Rated By Recognized Professional Groups

It is equally important to determine whether the attorney you are considering has been “rated” by organizations that evaluate the competency of the attorney, such as Martindale-Hubbell, or ”Who’s Who In American Law“.  You may also want to see if the attorney has been deemed a Superlawyer in DUI Defense and whether they are rated 10.0/10.0 in DUI Defense (The Highest Rating) from AVVO, a Lawyer rating service.  These are all important considerations that must be made in choosing an Orange County DUI Defense Lawyer.  Be very cautious in evaluating these ratings!  Some of the most impressive “Badges” come from organizations that simply sell accolades.  Check out the websites of these groups and make your own independent judgement about whether they are serious professional organizations or “Pay to Play” marketing.

 

Is The Lawyer A Fighter

It is also important to know whether the DUI Lawyer you are considering has the background, experience and reputation to properly handle your case.   The reality is that most DUI cases are resolved without a trial.  This can involve a plea bargain with the District Attorney or a plea to the Judge with an indicated sentence.  A favorable plea bargain can result in beneficial resolution of your case including dismissal of or reduction of charges and favorable terms of probation.  A skilled DUI Lawyer  who has a reputation of excellence is more likely to obtain a favorable result than an attorney who has never tried a jury trial or litigated a motion before the court.  If your case cannot be resolved with a favorable plea bargain then you need a Law Firm that’s not afraid to answer ready for trial and that will be prepared to provide you with the best possible defense.  A great DUI trial lawyer must understand the forensics of alcohol and the devices which were used to test your alcohol level.  They must understand how to challenge police field sobriety tests.  An experienced DUI trial lawyer must also understand the laws of human nature and be able to relate the important themes of your case to a jury who will listen.

Barry T. Simons and the lawyers that make up the Law Office of Barry T. Simons are true “DUI Lawyers”.  Barry T. Simons is the Co-Author of California Drunk Driving Law, which is recognized by thousands of California attorneys and judges as “The Bible of Drunk Driving Defense”™.  Barry Simons leads a “Team” of dedicated professionals who have litigated over 8,000 thousand DUI cases in Courtrooms throughout Southern California and the D.M.V.  Barry T. Simons have taught and written extensively on the law and science of DUI and is considered to be one of the most respected and most recognized leaders in DUI Defense throughout the entire State of California.

The team is made up of top-notch DUI Lawyers, each specially trained in DUI Defense, two (2) specially trained paralegals, and a team of investigators, criminalists, and forensic toxicologists.  The Law Office of Barry T. Simons has access to the top experts in Forensic Toxicology and Pharmacology, all who work hand-in-hand with the lawyers of the Law Office of Barry T. Simons to analyze and evaluate the important scientific issues and defenses of your Orange County DUI case.

 

 

   
Questions

Law Office of
Barry T. Simons

Lawyer #2
1.   Are you 1 of only 50 “Board Certified” DUI Attorneys in the United States? YES            ??
2.    

Are you a “Specialized Member” of the California DUI Lawyers Association?

YES            ??
3.    

Are you “AV-Rated” and “Recognized” as “Preeminent” by Martindale Hubbell’s Attorney-Rating Service?

YES            ??
4.    

Do you have a “10.0/10.0” Rating from AVVO, the Attorney-Rating Service?

YES            ??
5.    

Are you one of the 5% of California DUI Defense Lawyers “Recognized” by their peers as a “SUPERLAWYER”?

YES            ??
6.    

Are you Qualified to “Administer” the Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFSTS)?

YES           ??
7.    

Are you Qualified as an “Instructor” for the Administration of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTS)?

YES            ??
8.    

Are you Certified in the Administration, Maintenance and Calibration of the Alco-Sensor Breath-Testing Device used in Orange County, California?

YES            ??
9.    

Do you own an Alco-Sensor Breath Testing Device to further your knowledge of breath testing?

YES            ??
10.    

Are you DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) trained to successfully defend “DUI-Drug” or Driving Under the Influence of Drugs cases in Southern California?

YES            ??
11.    

Do you teach or lecture nationally, statewide and locally on advances in the Defense of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) cases?

YES            ??
12.    

Do you teach at seminars for Forensic Scientists, and DMV Hearing Officers, Attorneys, locally and nationally?

YES            ??
13.    

Have you been an “Instructor” for the National College for DUI Defense held annually at Harvard Law School?

YES            ??
14.    

Are you a “Founding Member” of the National College for DUI Defense?

YES            ??
15.    

Do other DUI attorneys ask you to be an “expert witness” on their cases?

YES            ??
16.    

Do you have successful DUI trial experience?

YES            ??
17.    

Do you have successful trial experience in fighting DUI blood, breath and refusal cases?

YES            ??
18.    

Do you limit the number of DUI cases you will accept each year so you can devote the time to properly defend each case accepted?

YES            ??
19.    

Have you published any books about DUI Defense, such as the two-volume treatise: “California Drunk Driving Law”, often considered the “Bible of DUI Defense”?

YES            ??
20.    

Are you part of a well-established DUI Defense team that is considered California’s “Recognized Leaders” in DUI Defense ?

 

YES            ??
         

 

 

 

 

If you or a loved one are being charged with a DUI in Southern California or anywhere else throughout the State of California, contact the lawyers at the Law Office of Barry T. Simons at once for a free consultation and case evaluation.

 

Call 949-497-1729 for a free confidential consultation

 

By Barry T. Simons: “It is my honor and privilege to fight for my clients; challenge unjust laws; protect our Constitution and to be a thorn on the side of injustice”.

By Barry T. Simons: “It is my honor and privilege to fight for my clients; challenge unjust laws; protect our Constitution and to be a thorn on the side of injustice”.