Five Items to Consider When Choosing Your Virginia DUI Lawyer
Virginia imposes strict penalties on drivers convicted of driving under the influence. In 2019, Virginia recorded 18,648 DUI convictions.
Additionally, 264 of the state’s 827 traffic fatalities involved alcohol. Despite the number of DUI convictions, we know that not everyone accused of DUI committed a crime.
If you were charged with DUI in Virginia, Andrew Flusche and Ryan “Fitz” Fitzgerald can help you navigate your criminal case.
Hiring a Virginia DUI lawyer gives you the best opportunity to secure a favorable outcome in your case when facing a drunk driving charge.
Your attorney will know the ins and outs of the criminal justice system and be able to answer your questions about the process. Even if you think you are guilty, our job is to help you get a fair outcome and manage the consequences.
Once you decide that it would be wise to hire an attorney, here are a few ideas about what to consider when choosing your Virginia DUI lawyer.
#1 Knowledge of DUI Laws
You would not hire an electrician to work on your plumbing. Similarly, you should not hire an estate planning attorney to navigate your DUI case. Instead, you should talk to an attorney with experience navigating Virginia DUI laws.
Virginia law prohibits drivers from operating a vehicle when they:
- Are impaired by any combination of alcohol and drugs,
- Have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above 0.08%,
- Are under the influence of a drug, or
- Are under the influence of alcohol.
For the average driver, the legal limit for alcohol in your blood is 0.08%. However, drivers under 21 and commercial vehicle drivers face different rules.
Your attorney’s familiarity with Virginia DUI laws can mean the difference between securing a favorable outcome and an unfavorable one.
Additionally, we can help determine what DUI penalties you are facing based on your charges. Your penalties will depend on whether you have prior drunk driving-related convictions in the past ten years.
Your first and second DUI conviction carries the possibility of up to one year in jail. A third DUI conviction can result in up to five years in prison.
Trusting an attorney who does not know the basics of Virginia DUI defense can cost you money and freedom. Contact Flusche & Fitzgerald today to discuss your case with our team.
#2 Experience Handling DUI Cases
Knowledge of Virginia DUI laws comes with experience trying DUI cases in Virginia courtrooms. We know what kind of circumstances may constitute a legal defense to your charges.
For example, police officers are required to notify individuals they suspect of drunk driving of certain information before requesting a blood or breath test.
If you refuse the test, you can face additional charges for refusal, but only if you received your implied consent advisement. An experienced attorney will also know how such tools as field sobriety tests must be administered.
A seasoned attorney can also help you by:
- Requesting access to the police report,
- Reviewing the arresting officers’ body-worn camera footage,
- Interviewing witnesses to your traffic stop or arrest,
- Obtaining surveillance footage of your stop, and
- Preparing your case to go to trial.
A Virginia DUI lawyer will know what information to look for in your case to determine whether a valid legal defense applies.
#3 Impression During Consultation
Many criminal defense attorneys offer free initial consultations. You can use the consultation to provide a brief overview of your case and expectations for representation.
And your potential attorney can tell you how much a DUI defense lawyer will cost.
Your DUI defense attorney will represent you during a stressful, overwhelming time in your life. Thus, you should trust your attorney to give you the best advice possible.
The initial consultation will give you a chance to meet the potential attorney and gauge whether you want them to represent you.
Your attorney will be your strongest support in this process, and you need to feel comfortable with the advocate you choose.
#4 Reviews from Former Clients
Many criminal defense lawyers provide testimonials from former clients on their websites. Former clients can give you insight into their experience of hiring a particular attorney to represent their case.
It can also inform you of an attorney’s strengths and weaknesses from the point of view of their former clients. You can review client testimonials for our firm online at Google, Avvo, and Yelp.
#5 Reputation in Local Courtrooms
An attorney’s reputation among local judges and prosecutors can affect their representation.
For example, if a DUI attorney is known for bending the rules for their client or hiding unfavorable information from prosecutors, a prosecutor may hesitate to trust that lawyer during plea negotiations.
Our team has worked and maintained relationships with officers and prosecutors in our local courtrooms for years. These relationships help us successfully navigate the criminal justice system and secure positive outcomes for our clients.
In some cases, we can negotiate with the prosecutor to secure a favorable plea agreement instead of a DUI conviction.
We cultivated a positive relationship with local prosecutors and judges to better serve our clients.
Need a DUI Lawyer in Virginia? Contact Flusche & Fitzgerald Today
Andrew and Fitz have represented thousands of clients throughout Virginia with charges for driving under the influence. We understand the stress and uncertainty that accompanies a criminal charge.
Your reputation and perhaps your livelihood are on the line. Our team can offer you an ally during this stressful, confusing time.
When so much is at stake, you cannot afford to hire an attorney who is unprepared to handle your case. Otherwise, you may find yourself with a lengthy jail sentence and thousands of dollars in fines.
Some people think DUI charges do not carry severe penalties and do not need to be taken seriously. However, this is not the case. A DUI conviction can result in jail time, costly fines, and permanent damage to your reputation.
Contact Flusche & Fitzgerald to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.
