The initial standard (after finding a Michigan attorney who focuses solely on DUI law) when retaining a DUI lawyer is experience. The DUI lawyer you want to retain to defend you should be an experienced one. This is different than just being specialized in the area of Michigan DUI law. Someone can graduate from law school and solely focus his or her practice on DUI cases, but that doesn't mean he or she is the right DUI lawyer for you.

You want your Michigan DUI attorney to have at least 5 years of experience, though this is not a hard and fast rule. There are talented and excellent lawyers with less than 5 years of experience across the country, but in general, you are better off most of the time with a more experienced attorney. In the practice of DUI law, experience is priceless. With experience and time practicing drunk driving law comes more familiarity with judges and prosecutors in all of the counties. This is very important because the legal strategy you and your drunk driving lawyer decide to take will depend a lot on being able to plead the case down if needed. Experienced Michigan DUI attorneys who work with prosecutors on a regular basis will have a much better chance at getting a more favorable plea bargain if it comes down to that being your best legal option. Experience practicing before certain judges helps your DUI lawyer guide your overall trial strategy before that particular judge.

The experience factor really is not a hard concept to understand. If you were in surgery, you'd want a surgeon who has done hundreds of surgeries over someone who has only done two or three. In baseball, when the game is on the line, usually the ol' skipper will want his veteran closer in the game. Experience breeds confidence and you want your drunk driving lawyer to be and feel confident while defending you, while negotiating a plea agreement, while addressing the jury, while making objections, while cross-examining witnesses and while giving opening and closing statements.

When you speak to a prospective Michigan DUI attorney, don't just ask how long he or she has been practicing law, ask how long he or she has been practicing DUI law. You will also want to inquire about experience defending accused drunk drivers versus experience prosecuting against accused drunk drivers. This is important because, although in some counties prosecutors work in particular areas of criminal law, in many counties, prosecutors are criminal law generalists. So, prosecution experience does not equal DUI defense law experience in our opinion. Don't take this the wrong way, though. Experience as a prosecutor can be a bonus or additional factor because of the knowledge gained from working on the other side.

If you have trouble finding a good Michigan DUI attorney with over five years of experience, we will be happy to recommend an expert DUI lawyer with over 10 years of experience. Click on the link below to get started.