photo provided by Jeffrey Smith
Facing a DUI charge in Florida is intimidating. With the state’s tough-on-crime approach, police have stepped up enforcement of existing laws, penalties have increased, and lawmakers are always coming up with novel new ideas for punishments. Suffice it to say, it is difficult to get away with impaired driving in the St Petersburg area.
However, many people don’t realize that being arrested under suspicion of DUI does not necessarily mean they will be hit with a DUI conviction. There are several actions one can take to bolster a defense against DUI. The most important of these actions is to retain the best St. Petersburg DUI lawyer.
How Can a DUI Lawyer Help You?
There are a number of important ways a DUI lawyer can assist your case. Foremost is that they can mobilize their knowledge and experience to get results. DUI law is an aspect of criminal law that is incredibly complicated and difficult to understand. Unlike an inexperienced DUI lawyer, or an attorney specializing in areas of law other than criminal or DUI law, a qualified DUI lawyer will have defended many clients facing DUI charges and will know exactly what to expect in these sorts of cases. They will have specialized knowledge about the area statues and regulations, and will be conscious of all the bureaucratic deadlines and filing requirements. Most importantly, they will be able to craft your defense with proven tactics and techniques that have been successful in the past.
The best St. Petersburg DUI lawyer will also have developed positive working relationships with area prosecutors, judges and law enforcement. These positive relationships can work to your advantage, as the trust garnered by your lawyer may transfer to you. A local lawyer will also have an established network of science, medical and technical professionals to provide insight and testimony in your defense.
Why and How to Choose the Best DUI Lawyer
You don’t want to hire just any lawyer who claims to be a DUI attorney. To hire an attorney without certifiable experience specifically in DUI law can be equivalent to hiring no attorney at all. Without the specialized knowledge of DUI matters, they may not know how to create an effective defense. You wouldn’t hire a plumber to perform electrical work, so why hire a personal injury attorney to defend your DUI?
There are many qualified DUI attorneys operating in the St. Petersburg area, and just as many (if not more) unqualified attorneys. When considering retaining the services of a DUI lawyer, you will want to perform substantive research before committing to any given lawyer. That research process may look something like this:
1. Ask family, friends or trusted acquaintances who have faced DUI charges in the past for recommendations.
2. Perform internet research, noting client or peer review ratings and insights for each attorney.
3. Arrange a meeting with a few chosen attorneys and ask pressing questions about their background, qualifications, skills and record of success.
4. Be sure to ask about their fee structure and payment arrangements.
Finebloom, Haenel & Higgins – St. Petersburg DUI Lawyers
If you or someone you know is facing DUI charges in the St. Petersburg area, consider retaining the services of the DUI attorneys at Finebloom, Haenel & Higgins. We have over twenty years of experiencing assisting clients in St. Petersburg and all over the state of Florida facing charges just like yours. With a positive track record of success and a committed mentality, our lawyers and support staff work diligently to ensure you a positive outcome. Call today for a free consultation and evaluation of your case from one of our DUI lawyers.
