Expertise.com

Best DUI Lawyers in Palm Coast

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2023
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Aaron Delgado & Associates logo
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Aaron Delgado & Associates

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131 East New York Avenue, Suite 203, DeLand, FL 32724
  • 24/7
  • Alcohol
  • Marijuana
  • DWI
  • Drugs
  • DUI Defense

Business Description

Aaron Delgado & Associates is a multi-practice law firm that serves the residents of Palm Coast and the surrounding areas. It provides legal services for different types of DUI cases, including enhanced DUIs, marijuana DUIs, first-time DUIs, and repeat offenses. The firm also handles criminal defense cases involving traffic offenses, drug crimes, and sex crimes. Principal attorney Aaron Delgado is board-certified in criminal trial law. He serves as vice-president of the Florida Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Volusia Chapter.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.4
Google
4.5 / 5 (136)
Facebook
4.3 / 5 (48)
Yelp
3.0 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
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Daytona Defense logo
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Daytona Defense

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444 Seabreeze Blvd Ste 470, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
  • DWI
  • Drugs
  • DUI Defense

Business Description

Daytona Defense represents individuals in Palm Coast who are accused of driving under the influence. It assists with first to fourth offense DUI charges, helping its clients preserve their freedom, financial health, and driving privileges. The firm takes time to review and investigate each case in-depth in order to formulate creative strategies tailored to each client's situation and needs. Its attorney, Jeffery Higgins, has been in practice since 1988 and has defended over a hundred DUI cases and thousands of traffic tickets.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.8 / 5 (106)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
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Hager & Schwartz P.A. logo
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Hager & Schwartz P.A.

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140 South Beach Street, Suite 401, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
  • DUI Defense

Business Description

Hager & Schwartz P.A. serves clients in Palm Coast. It handles a wide range of matters involving DUI law, from consultation to legal representation. It provides customized strategies to deal with cases involving driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. To avoid the potential penalties, it attempts to have the DUI charges reduced or fully dismissed. The firm is owned by two former state prosecutors who have a combined experience of more than 40 years.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (121)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (12)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
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Jessica Damoth, P.A. logo
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Jessica Damoth, P.A.

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1301 Beville Rd STE 7,, Daytona Beach, FL 32119
  • DUI Defense

Business Description

Jessica Damoth, P.A., serves drivers who have been charged with DUI in the Palm Coast area. It assists clients in petitioning for temporary driving permits and works to protect their licenses during DHSMV hearings. Jessica Damoth founded the firm in 2007. She is a former prosecutor who has been in the legal field since 2004. As a criminal defense attorney, she helps clients avoid conviction by establishing reasonable doubt and looking for any constitutional rights violations and procedural defects like lack of probable cause.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Google
4.9 / 5 (76)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
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Kelley Law logo

Kelley Law

1100 South Ponce De Leon Boulevard, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Business Description

Founded in 2016, Kelley Law assists people in need of a DUI attorney near Palm Coast. Angelique Kelley is a former assistant state attorney who now defends clients arrested and charged with driving under the influence in the Palm Coast metro area. Ms. Kelley handles DUI felonies and misdemeanors, defending clients charged for the first time, and those who have previous convictions for driving under the influence. The attorney also practices traffic and criminal law.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (8)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
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Law Office of Edwin H Duff III logo

Law Office of Edwin H Duff III

245 Braeburn Cir, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
  • DUI Defense

Business Description

The Law Office of Edwin H Duff III represents and counsels clients in Palm Coast and the surrounding areas. It handles DUI or DWI cases and assists clients in minimizing the consequences of the charges. It consults with clients and helps them make an informed decision about the case. Edwin Duff III, the firm's attorney, has handled criminal appeals and worked as a state prosecutor. He has more than 39 years of experience in criminal law.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (8)
Google
5.0 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
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Law Office Of Leanna J. Smith logo
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Law Office Of Leanna J. Smith

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211 E Rich Ave, DeLand, FL 32724
  • DWI

Business Description

The Law Office of Leanna J. Smith provides services to individuals in Palm Coast and nearby areas. It defends clients who have been charged with DUI and assists in reinstating their driving privileges. The firm also handles cases involving assault and battery, weapons offenses, burglary and trespassing, fraud, and crimes against children. Leanna Smith formerly worked as a prosecutor and has more than two decades of experience in the legal industry. She has contributed to The Innocence Project, which saves wrongly convicted persons from death row or takes them out of prison.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (24)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (4)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
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Lockett Law logo
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Lockett Law

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1548 The Greens Way Ste.2, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
  • DUI Defense

Business Description

Lockett Law is a Jacksonville law firm that focuses on DUI and criminal defense. The firm was founded by Lee Locket, a criminal defense attorney with over 20 years of legal experience. He is joined by Brian Crick in handling different kinds of DUI cases, including DUI manslaughter, multiple or recurring DUI, juvenile DUI, misdemeanor DUI, and felony DUI. Some of the other cases the firm handles include sex crimes and violent crimes. It serves the Palm Coast metro.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Facebook
4.7 / 5 (29)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (19)
Yelp
3.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Michael H. Lambert, P.A. logo
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Michael H. Lambert, P.A.

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428 North Halifax Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
  • DUI Defense

Business Description

Michael H. Lambert, P.A., offers defense representation to clients in Palm Coast in dealing with DUI and traffic offenses. Lambert reviews clients' circumstances and gathers supporting evidence, such as surveillance footage, to challenge the prosecution's cases. He disputes the arrest process or the breath test results to help dismiss or reduce the charges. Other criminal lawsuits he deals with include vehicular homicide and manslaughter. Lambert is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Google
4.6 / 5 (36)
Avvo
3.9 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Sam Masters Legal A Professional Association logo
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Sam Masters Legal A Professional Association

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444 Seabreeze Blvd., Suite 1001, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
  • DUI Defense

Business Description

Sam Masters, Legal A Professional Association, aggressively fights for the legal rights of clients facing DUI charges in Palm Coast. For over 20 years, founding attorney Sam Masters has been representing individuals arrested or charged with DUI offenses. He handles cases, such as reckless driving, domestic violence, probation violations, assault, and drug and sex crimes. Masters is a member of professional organizations like the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. The firm also serves clients in Glenwood, Oak Hill, Deltona, Lake Helen, and Edgewater.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.8 / 5 (23)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
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Detail
Shoemaker Law logo

Shoemaker Law

3000 North Ponce De Leon Boulevard, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Business Description

Shoemaker Law is a firm of DUI lawyers near Palm Coast who allocate a large portion of their time to defending people accused of driving under the influence. The attorneys have many years of experience of DUI, from representing clients at their DMV hearings to building defense cases that focus on police procedural failings. The firm's attorneys include members of the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys and the St. John's County Bar Association.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
Taylor & Waldrop logo
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Taylor & Waldrop

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2303 North Ponce De Leon Blvd, Suite L, Saint Augustine, FL 32084
  • DUI Defense

Business Description

Taylor & Waldrop provides legal services in Palm Coast and nearby areas. It takes on various aspects of criminal law, guiding individuals facing DUI charges. The law office helps first-time, underage, and out-of-state offenders reduce or drop different types of penalties, such as license suspension, mandatory community service, probation, and detention. It also handles domestic violence, sex, assault and battery, and drug-related crimes. One of the firm's partners, Clyde Taylor Jr., is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.8 / 5 (59)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (28)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (11)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
The Law Office of Genine Ann Mejia, P.A. logo
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The Law Office of Genine Ann Mejia, P.A.

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114 S Palmetto Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
  • DWI
  • DUI Defense

Business Description

The Law Office of Genine Ann Mejia, P.A., is a multi-practice law firm that serves the residents of Palm Coast and the surrounding areas. It provides legal counsel and representation to clients charged with DUIs. It employs defenses such as lack of reasonable suspicion and flaws in the administration of field sobriety tests. Principal attorney Genine Ann Mejia has been practicing law for more than eight years. She is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.9
Avvo
4.9 / 5 (148)
Google
4.9 / 5 (130)
Justia
10.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
The Law Office of Tonya D. Cromartie, P.A. logo
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The Law Office of Tonya D. Cromartie, P.A.

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648 S Ridgewood Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Business Description

The Law Office of Tonya D. Cromartie, P.A., is a multi-practice law firm that serves the residents of Palm Coast and the surrounding areas. It helps minimize or dismiss DUI penalties such as license suspensions, fines, community service, and jail time. It also handles cases involving traffic citations, driving with a suspended license, and drug crimes. Principal attorney Tonya D. Cromartie has been practicing law since 1998. She is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (18)
Google
5.0 / 5 (6)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
4.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
––
The Law Offices of Kevin J. Pitts logo

The Law Offices of Kevin J. Pitts

747 S Ridgewood Ave #105, Daytona Beach, FL 32114

Business Description

The Law Offices of Kevin J. Pitts serves clients in Palm Coast and its surrounding areas. It offers a broad range of legal and client representation services in several practice areas, including DUI, traffic violations, assault and battery, and domestic violence. The firm's owner, Kevin J. Pitts, has been practicing law for over 13 years. He previously worked as a DUI and misdemeanor prosecutor in Daytona Beach. He had handled a wide range of DUI and traffic cases when he established his own office.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (11)
Google
5.0 / 5 (2)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

(+1 additional source)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
The Law Station logo
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The Law Station

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1301 Plantation Island Drive South, Ste. 202B, St. Augustine, FL 32080
  • Marijuana

Business Description

The Law Station offers its services to the residents of Palm Coast. The firm provides representation for clients facing DUI, personal injury, and other misdemeanor and felony charges. The law office’s founder and owner, Melissa Sarris Kauttu, has over 30 years of experience as a lawyer. As an independent mediator, Kauttu has settled different cases between individuals, businesses, and families. She is also an active member of the Florida Women Lawyer’s Association. The law firm also handles probate and estate planning.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (12)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail
Thomas R. Mott, P.A logo

Thomas R. Mott, P.A

444 Seabreeze Boulevard # 650, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
  • DWI

Business Description

Thomas R. Mott, P.A., is an attorney who serves clients throughout Palm Coast and its surrounding cities. His law practice focuses on handling a wide array of criminal defense cases. These include DUI, criminal traffic cases, misdemeanor drug charges, and felonies like aggravated battery, sexual battery, burglary, and grand theft. Mott holds more than three decades of experience in defending clients charged with criminal offenses. He is also qualified to handle death penalty cases.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.9
Google
3.9 / 5 (14)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
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Detail
W.Scott Meyer Attorney at Law logo
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W.Scott Meyer Attorney at Law

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10 Vining Ct, Ormond Beach, FL 32176
  • DUI Defense

Business Description

W. Scott Meyer Attorney at Law caters to individuals throughout Palm Coast and the surrounding communities. It handles DUI charges and DMV driver's license suspension, representing charged individuals in first-time and repeat offenses. It creates defense strategies to reduce jail time and other penalties for clients. It also deals with cases involving prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, child support and visitation, property division, and personal injury. W. Scott Meyer, the principal of the firm, has been practicing law since 1995.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
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Detail
Whited Law Firm logo
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Whited Law Firm

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150 S Palmetto, Suite 102, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
  • DUI with Injury

Business Description

Whited Law Firm provides counsel and representation for clients in Palm Coast. It protects the rights of people accused of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs by negotiating to have the charges filed against them dropped or the penalty reduced. Founding partner Fleming Whited is board-certified in DWI/DUI defense. He has defended CEOs, doctors, lawyers, and rockstars charged with DUI. In one of the cases he handled, he succeeded in excluding the Smith & Wesson Breathalyzer Model 900A from evidence.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
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Detail
Woodard & Ferguson Attorneys at Law logo
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Woodard & Ferguson Attorneys at Law

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10 Vining Court, Ormond Beach, FL 32176
  • DUI Defense

Business Description

Woodard & Ferguson Attorneys at Law serves the Palm Coast area and the surrounding communities. The firm assists clients charged with serious DWI cases and protects their rights against aggressive police officers and prosecutors. Its team also launches investigations to get to the facts of the arrest and fights for the clients to be able to keep their driver's license. The Ormond Beach-based firm is headed by the brother-and-sister team of David Ferguson and Katherine Woodard.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.1
Google
4.2 / 5 (21)
Avvo
4.3 / 5 (10)
Yelp
4.0 / 5 (4)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does a DUI charge involve?

    DUI, or driving under the influence, is a criminal charge applied to someone who is suspected of operating their vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, such as drugs and/or alcohol. Every state in the U.S. has a law on the books that bans driving while intoxicated; however, the specific criteria may differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In some states, a driver with blood alcohol content (BAC) in excess of 0.08% can be brought up on DUI charges while other states set a higher threshold or increase the severity of charges in accordance with the level of intoxication. In some cases, DUI is determined not via testing but by behavior; drivers who are intoxicated to the point of impairment and who cannot safely operate their vehicle may be arrested on suspicion of DUI.

  • What's the difference between DUI, DWI, and OVI?

    The terms driving under the influence (DUI), driving while impaired (DWI), and operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) are all legal phrases that refer to the crime of operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs (illegal or prescription), alcohol, or both. These terms are largely interchangeable though some states use only one acronym in their statutes for the sake of clarity. There are also other acronyms occasionally substituted for DUI, such as DWAI (driving while ability impaired), OWI (operating while intoxicated), OUI (operating under the influence), and DUII-CS (driving under the influence of intoxicants: controlled substances).

  • How long does a DUI stay on your record?

    In addition to the more immediate penalties that come with a DUI conviction, this costly mistake can have other consequences. DUIs stay on your driving record for years with the exact length of time differing from state to state — the California Department of Motor Vehicles, for instance, tracks DUIs for 10 years and may use that information to determine things like license eligibility. In Alabama, DUIs stay on the record for five years while in Alaska they're permanent. In states that use point systems to track driving infractions, DUI points may stay on the record far longer than the DUI itself.

  • How much does a DUI lawyer cost?

    The cost of a DUI lawyer depends largely on three things: geographic area, the lawyer's experience, and whether the case is settled quickly with a plea or ends up going to trial. Attorneys may charge a flat rate, more commonly used for simple cases that are likely to wrap up quickly, or they may charge by the hour, which can add up quickly if the case requires a lot of pretrial preparations and court time. Ultimately, a DUI lawyer could cost as little as $700 or bill in excess of $4,000.

  • How do I choose a DUI attorney?

    Finding the right DUI lawyer is crucial, especially when it comes to preventing a suspended license and minimizing fees and other penalties. To choose the right one:

    • Look for attorneys experienced in DUI case law
    • Ask for referrals from family and friends
    • Check the internet for reviews, keeping in mind that no two DUI cases are exactly alike
    • Meet with prospective lawyers (many offer free consultations) to hear their perspective on the case and see whether their personality feels like a good fit
    • Ask whether the lawyer will be the primary representative or if the case could be passed to an associate and how many clients the lawyer/firm represents at one time
    • Discuss billing options — the difference between an hourly rate and flat fee can be considerable
  • What happens when you get a DUI?

    Individuals detained on suspicion of a DUI are typically taken to jail, their vehicles impounded, and either held on bail or processed and released pending a court date. That initial court appearance is a chance to enter a plea; it's a good idea to retain legal representation prior to this hearing so they have an opportunity to argue for reduced charges or even dismissal.

    Drunk driving charges are often enough to warrant a suspended license pending the outcome of the case. A DUI conviction could mean losing that license entirely as well as paying fines, court costs, and DMV fees and paying for treatment or other intervention programs as instructed by the court — perhaps even completing jail time. These penalties tend to be less severe for first-time offenders and increase significantly thereafter.

  • Can I contest a DUI without a lawyer?

    While it's possible to contest a DUI without a lawyer present, case law is complex, and navigating those laws can be tricky. A DUI lawyer can't guarantee a positive outcome, but they are in a far better position to make crucial moves, such as challenging the legality of the original traffic stop, questioning the officer-led sobriety tests, and introducing evidence that could lead to an exoneration. In short, it's tempting to save money by going it alone, but the consequences could be costly. Before deciding against a lawyer, take advantage of a free consultation and weigh their recommendations. If budget is a factor, there are court-appointed public defenders who may take on the case.