Law Offices of Randolph Rice

Baltimore Criminal Defense and Personal Injury Attorney

How to Find A Good DUI Lawyer and Questions to Ask

This page will explain and lay out how to find a good DUI lawyer in Maryland.

Attorney Randolph Rice (link to bio) is a former prosecutor and has defended hundreds of clients throughout Maryland that have been charged with drunk driving, achieving remarkable outcomes for individuals before Judges and juries.

Keep reading to learn how to find the best DUI lawyer for your charges.

FINDING A DUI LAWYER THAT WILL GET A GREAT OUTCOME

When you need to find a good DUI lawyer, it probably means you have been charged with DUI or DWI.

DUI and DWI are traffic violations, codified in the Maryland Transportation Article 21-902, that are charged when a driver is impaired or under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a controlled dangerous substance.

On average, 6,000 people a year are arrested for drunk driving in Maryland. While most case result in a conviction or probation before judgment.

It is possible to beat a DUI charge in Maryland with the help of a good DUI lawyer.

WHAT EXACTLY IS DUI?

DUI stands for "Driving Under the Influence." It is the common acronym most people use when talking about being charged with drunk driving.

The act of drinking and driving is not a crime in Maryland.

However, it is a crime to drink too much or consume another substance (i.e. cocaine, heroin, marijuana) that impairs your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.

The other common charge a person will face if arrested for drunk driving is D.W.I., or "driving while impaired."

DUI and DWI are similar, DUI is more serious, requires a higher burden for the State to prove and carries higher and stiffer penalties and fines if convicted.

HOW TO FIND A GOOD DUI LAWYER - TALK TO FRIENDS

Talking to friends who have been through the experience before is one of the best ways to find a good DUI lawyer in Maryland. As you friends who they use, did they like the lawyer, did the lawyer respond to their questions, were they happy with the outcome and legal representation?

These are important considerations when looking for a good DUI lawyer to handle your case.

If you don't have any friends that have been charged with DUI, then you may want to ask friends if they know any lawyers that can suggest some possible good DUI lawyers.

Once you have a list of 2-4 lawyers, then next step is to conduct online research about the lawyer.

HOW TO FIND A GOOD DUI LAWYER - ONLINE RESEARCH

Online Reviews Randolph Rice DUI Lawyer

Online research can be one of the best ways to investigate the possible DUI lawyers in your area.

Start with a good search for the lawyer you want to interview. Check out their Google and Yelp reviews.

If they don't have any Google reviews, you may want to move on to the next lawyer. DUI lawyer today are very competitive and if they are any good, they should have some online reviews.

You can also check their Avvo profile and read what other lawyers and past clients have said about the lawyer and they skills in defending individuals charged with DUI or DWI in Maryland.

Once you read about the lawyers on your list and maybe removed or added a couple based on online reviews, the next step is to meet with the various lawyers and get a feel for them.

HOW TO FIND A GOOD DUI LAWYER - MEET WITH MULTIPLE LAWYERS AND PICK THE ONE THAT FEELS "RIGHT"

Bedside manner is an important virtue for a doctor and should be the same standard you hold your DUI lawyer to. Meet with the lawyer and ask yourself these questions after the meeting:

Did I get a good "vibe" from the lawyer?
How did the lawyer speak about the topic?
Did the lawyer know the answer to most of my questions?
Does the lawyer know the Judges?
Does the lawyer know the prosecutors?
Did the lawyer promise me an certain outcome? (no lawyer can promise you or guarantee you an outcome. Each case is unique, be wary of lawyers that promise you anything)

How does the lawyer present? (this person will be your spokesperson in court, you want someone that is well-spoken and can present your case with confidence and a clear objective)

If you ask and answers these questions in a manner that make you feel confident they are going to do everything to fight for you and reduce the consequences of the DUI, then you may have found the right DUI lawyer for you.

DUI LAWYER NEAR ME

Find a "DUI lawyer near me" is often important to people because they don't have to travel far from their residence to meet with the lawyer. Also, if the individual charged needs to run over to their lawyer's office, it isn't far away and they can get their quickly.

There are other benefits to hiring a "DUI lawyer near me." You want to hire a lawyer that is near you, but also a lawyer that is near the courthouse or county/city where you are charged.

Hiring a lawyer that is familiar and practices in the county where you case will be heard can only benefit you and the result.

Our office represent clients charged with DUI in the following Maryland counties and cities:

Baltimore County
Baltimore City
Harford County
Howard County
Anne Arundel County
Carroll County
Cecil County
Worcester County

The reason for this is, lawyers that are known by the court and prosecutors will always do better for their clients than a lawyer that has never or rarely appeared in that court.

Judges that know the lawyer by their first name and prosecutors that trust and believe the defense lawyer will give some deference to that lawyer and to your case.

So, hire a lawyer that is "near me" but also near or practices and appears in that jurisdiction on a regular basis.

MARYLAND DUI LAWYER COST

What does a DUI lawyer cost in Maryland. We have written about this topic before, but here is a quick break down of the cost to hire a lawyer based on the record of the client and the facts of the case:

First time DUI/DWI, no injuries, no accident (without a MVA hearing): $1,500-$2,500.
First time DUI/DWI, injury, accident (without a MVA hearing): $2,000-$3,000.
First time DUI/DWI, no injury, no accident (with a MVA Hearing) $2,000 - $3,000.
Second time DUI/DWI, no injuries, no accident (without a MVA hearing): $2,000-$3,500.
Second time DUI/DWI, injury, accident (without a MVA hearing): $2,500-$4,000.
Second time DUI/DWI, no injury, no accident (with a MVA Hearing) $3,000 - $4,500.

These a averages and it may be more or less depending on the individual facts in the case. It may also be more if the case requires a jury trial in the Circuit Court.

DUI lawyers generally charge based on a flat fee. That means the price you pay will not increase and is a one time fee. Some DUI lawyer will offer payment plans, so ask.

This is different than an hourly rate, which some lawyers may charge. However, if your case is postponed or the court appearance takes longer than expected, you may benefit from the flat fee as the hourly rate would exceed what the flat fee expense is charged.

BEST DUI LAWYER IN BALTIMORE

The best DUI lawyer in Baltimore, Maryland is the best lawyer for your case. Follow the advice above and you should find the best DUI lawyer in Baltimore for you.

Baltimore city and Baltimore county are different jurisdictions and DUI and DWI cases are handled very differently in the two.

Talk to you DUI lawyer about the difference in your case and how the place where you were charged affects your possible outcomes in your case.

DUI LAWYER MARYLAND

Now that you've read all of these great tips to find the best DUI, it's time to meet with one. Attorney Randolph Rice is a trusted DUI and DWI defense lawyer in Maryland that puts his clients' interests first in every case.

He knows how disruptive and scary it is facing a drunk driving charge. If you want the best and want to feel like a person and not a number, contact his office today (410.288.2900) and schedule a free consultation.