If you’ve been arrested for a DUI, you may be worried about what is going to happen as you prepare for and go to your first court hearing. Will the judge drop your charges? Will you be convicted and have to serve jail time? Pay fines? Lose your license? Though the process can be new to you if you’ve never been arrested before, a DUI Lawyer in Mount Vernon WA can explain everything to you and help you figure out what the possible outcome for your case may be.
When you first speak with your lawyer it will be for a consultation visit. This visit may be a free, one hour visit with your prospective lawyer and it will help you figure out if you want to hire the lawyer. Bring any paperwork or evidence you have with you to this meeting. The lawyer will review the information you give him and will let you know what he thinks he can do for you. He shouldn’t make any promises, such as getting the charges dropped, but rather will let you know what the possibilities for your case are. If you are satisfied that he can help you and that you would like to work with him, you can then hire him.
When you hire a lawyer, you’ll have to pay a retainer fee. This is an amount you pay upfront based on the hourly rate the lawyer charges and the number of hours a case like yours usually takes. Everything your lawyer does for your case will be subtracted from the retainer fee. If your retainer fee doesn’t cover everything, you will be asked to pay a little bit more. If it does, however, and there is a balance at the end of your case you will get the remainder back.
At this point, you will be able to work with the DUI Lawyer in Mount Vernon WA that you have chosen to get the outcome you want from your case. If your charges can be dropped, your lawyer will work to have them dropped for you. If they can’t, your lawyer will work to get you found not guilty or to get you the minimum sentence possible if you are found guilty. Speak to a lawyer such as one from Howson Law Office today to find out what your options are.
