HOW TO DO IT RIGHT:
1. Word of mouth: This is the most effective form of advertising and should be one effective way to determine which lawyer can best represent you. Almost everybody knows someone who has been cited for DUI, and some of your acquaintances themselves may have been in this situation. Ask those people who it was that represented them, whether they were satisfied that their lawyer did everything he or she could for them, and whether they would hire that person again. You should be able to get the names of 2 or 3 competent attorneys this way, as well as the names of people to avoid.
2. Do your own research: You should get familiar with Kansas DUI laws and be prepared with questions for the attorneys you intend to talk to. You should also try to research the attorneys themselves and get to know something about their experience with DUI cases. Go to the attorneys’ websites and see what you can learn about them. Are they maintaining their own website and providing information to the public, or are they just on pay sites? Does the person’s name come up often in sites concerning DUI cases in Kansas? What organizations do they belong to? Attorneys that belong to organizations dedicated to the defense of persons charged with DUI, or criminal defense in general, are more likely to be dedicated themselves to effective representation of those charged with a DUI in Kansas.
3. Meet with the attorney: You need someone that you are comfortable with, in whom you have confidence, and who has your best interests in mind. You should be able to gauge to some extent whether this attorney intends to work for you and fight for you, or sell you out the first chance he or she gets.
4. Make your decision based on who it is that you believe can best represent you: Try to block out considerations of money, allegiance to friends or family, or anything other than in whose hands do you feel most comfortable with your life being held. That person is probably the attorney for you and you must find a way to secure his or her representation.