If you've been charged with DUI, finding a good lawyer should be your first priority. Today's DUI laws are so complicated and the punishment so severe that you should find an attorney who devotes most of his or her practice to DUI defense and who has a strong reputation for competence in the legal community. Just as with most professions, lawyers know who has the best reputation for handling specific types of cases, so the best referral source is usually a local attorney. If you don't know any attorneys, another excellent source is anyone involved in law enforcement or the criminal justice system. Police officers, prosecutors, judges and court personnel all know who the best DUI lawyers are and can tell you who they would retain if they were charged.

Another source is the local bar association referral service. However, be advised that the Bar does not screen candidates for its referral list, so you should be careful to verify the attorney's credentials before making a hiring decision. Be sure to ask the lawyer what percentage of his or her practice is devoted to DUI defense. If it's less than 50% you should be cautious. In addition, the lawyer should practice criminal law exclusively and should have a solid background of trying cases. Finally, ask the lawyer to describe his or her recent experience with DUI's in particular. When meeting the attorney in person, consider several questions: Is the attorney well-versed on the subject of DUI's and able to readily answer all your questions? Does he or she seem genuinely interested in you, as well as your case? Does the attorney really listen to you and address you concerns? Before retaining the attorney, you should, above all, feel a strong sense of confidence in the attorney's ability to handle your case. If you don't, keep looking.

How much will an attorney cost? Just like anything else, you usually get what you pay for. Competent defense lawyers charge from $5,000 to $10,000 and up, depending on a variety of factors, including the complexity of the case, your prior record, the court the charge is filed in, the likelihood of a trial, etc. A good defense lawyer can usually save you more in the long run than he or she charges in legal fees. However, just as with any legal case, there are never any guarantees. The most you can do is hire the most competent lawyer you can afford and leave the handling of the case in his or her experienced hands.