Drunk Driving Lawyer

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. You can always find a lawyer who will quote you a low fee and provide service to match that fee. Before you entrust a lawyer with your case, make sure he is experienced in defending your type of case.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Many persons who are not familiar with the legal profession do not understand that lawyers, like other professionals, "specialize" or concentrate their practices in specific areas. (Please note that Indiana does not typically recognize "specialties" in the legal profession, which is why I put the word in quotes.)

When you need an annual physical, you probably see your family doctor, who is probably a general practitioner; but if you have heart problems, you will need a cardiologist. Likewise, a general practice lawyer may not be the right fit to defend you in a criminal case, where your life and freedom are at stake.

If you have a criminal case, and especially a drunk driving case, you should find a lawyer with the necessary experience and training to properly defend you. You should find an attorney who concentrates his practice in criminal defense, or even the more "specialized" field of drunk driving defense, if that is your need.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. There is no substitute for experience. I tried and won my first drunk driving cases on my first day as a prosecutor in January 1979. I have practiced criminal law ever since, as a prosecutor, judge, and defense attorney. My practice is devoted entirely to criminal defense, with over 90% of my practice concentrated in defending persons accused of drunk driving.
My experience as a prosecutor and judge in these cases gives me the perspective to analyze evidence, develop defenses, and obtain favorable results for my clients.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. The people I represent are good people who have gotten in trouble. I enjoy getting them through their problems as unscathed as possible.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. "Will I go to jail?"
Jail is always a possibility in any criminal case. My goal is to avoid or minimize jail time for every client.
"Will I lose my license?"
License suspensions or restrictions can make life difficult for a client. The laws are tough, but sometimes alternatives are available to minimize or avoid inconvenience. I always discuss options with my clients.
"Should I have taken the breath test?"
Probably, but if you didn't we just have to deal with the case as it stands. There's no point in beating yourself over what is done.
"Should I have done the field sobriety tests?"
Almost certainly not! They are designed for failure and entirely subjective. But again, we can deal with that.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. When I was a very young prosecutor (23 or 24 years old), I tried an attempted murder case against a well-known defense attorney. After final arguments, while we were waiting for the verdict, he was telling me how I had a lot of potential to be a good criminal lawyer. I thought his attitude was patronizing, and I was especially gratified a few minutes later when the jury returned a Guilty verdict against his client. I accepted the victory graciously, but I resolved never to treat an opponent with disrespect, as he had.

The moral of this story is never to underestimate an opponent, never accept defeat as inevitable, and be gracious in both victory and defeat.

Oh, and the client he thought he was "getting off" got 30 years in prison.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. Lawyers have a very negative public impression. There is good reason for this. Lawyers often represent people with un-popular viewpoints. What every American should embrace is the fact that every American has a right to access to the courts. Give every person that right, and freedom flourishes! As a nation we have many decisions to make. But the one common ground is that we are a nation based in freedom and due process.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. When I was a youngster, I watched Perry Mason every week. The way that Perry Mason used his analytical and argumentative skills to defend his clients inspired me to become a criminal lawyer.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. All Indiana lawyers are required to obtain at least 6 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) each year, and 36 hours every three years (an average of 12 hours each year). I obtain my CLE through attendance at conferences offered by national organizations such as the American Judges Association. I typically obtain about 20 CLE hours per year, or about three times the required amount.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. My services are almost always provided on a Flat Fee Basis. This means that the fee depends entirely upon the nature of the case and the seriousness of the criminal charges or legal issue. For example, a felony will require a higher fee than a misdemeanor.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. I would discourage anyone from becoming a lawyer. There are already too many.
That being said, if your passion is to be a lawyer, especially a criminal defense lawyer, and if you are determined to excel at that profession, then you should pursue that passion. There is always room for the best in any profession.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. What is the most common mistake made by your clients?

It's hard to narrow it down to one, so I will answer in general terms. The most common mistake is to either do more than they should have, or less. For example, many persons are too cooperative with the police. "Sure officer, search my car without a warrant."
"I won't lie officer; I drank a whole keg of beer at the pot party I'm driving home from."
"I can't possibly pass the breath test officer; I'm too drunk!"
"I don't have to take the field sobriety tests? Well let's try them anyway."
On the other hand, far too many clients refuse to take the certified breath test, resulting in one or two year license suspensions just for the refusal.