Finding an Athens DUI Attorney
Get the Skilled & Reliable Legal Counsel You Deserve
You have been arrested for DUI in Athens, bonded out of jail and have a million questions. Asking Google will help answer some questions, but DUIs have many layers that can be very fact specific. One answer doesn’t always fit all situations. However, a knowledgeable DUI defense lawyer, who asks the right questions, can give you much more precise answers. The question is, how do you find the right lawyer? Here are some tips from our Athens DUI defense lawyer who has interacted with both skilled and unskilled attorneys, and knows how to determine what professional will have a better shot at winning a case.
If you would like to enlist the services of our firm, or schedule a free case evaluation, call (706) 705-5122.
Do Not Hire the First Attorney You Speak With
You just got out of jail, you’ve had a horrible experience and you are vulnerable. Sometimes a underqualified attorney is a great salesperson. They may try to convince you that you must hire right away or lose some opportunity. Generally, you have at least enough time to explore your options.
You do only have 10-business days to appeal a license suspension, but that is still two weeks away. If you get nervous about the letter, call the Law Offices of J. Lee Webb, and our lead attorney will help you do the letter for free. With that problem solved, there should be no rush to sign up.
Ask Friends & Family for a Referral
Approaching an attorney with some idea of what to expect can be very helpful. However, just because the lawyer was referred to you, does not mean they are right for you. Meet with them, ask questions and see if they are knowledgeable about DUI or whatever other crime you have been charged with. Get their fee structure, but do not agree to hire until you have done more research
Speak with at Least 2 Attorneys
Meeting with more is fine, but not so many that they begin to run together. Whether all 3 are referrals, people you found on the Internet or a combination, get a feel for each one:
- How do their offices work? How easy are they to get in touch with after you give them your money? Our lead attorney, for example, provides a personal cell number to clients and an email address to interested potential clients. Other responsive attorneys do not always give out cell numbers, but do have systems in place to quickly respond to clients. You should not have to chase your lawyer for an update.
- What are their fees? Compare the numbers, but don’t decide based solely on price. Many sales focused attorneys charge high fees, but do very little. Some lawyers who charge a high fee are worth every penny, but not always. Hopefully, your research will help you get a feel for the kind of quality work different lawyers offer.
- Who will be handling your case? Don’t meet and hire one lawyer and then have another lawyer in their firm, or an “of counsel” lawyer show-up to handle your hearing. Having multiple lawyers involved who handle different aspects of the case is not necessarily a bad thing, but you should know up front how they operate.
How do they get paid?
Many lawyers want the full retainer up front. Our attorney cautions against this unless they were strongly referred to you or have a good reason for the requirement. Our firm offers different payment options depending on the court and the case. Payment is discussed early on with each individual client. One payment method does not fit all clients. It is important that the fee agreement works for both the client and the lawyer.
Background Checks
Reviews can be a useful research tool, but be skeptical. They are easy to fake, and hard to obtain. No criminal lawyer has won every case, so 300 glowing reviews may be too good to be true. There are ranking sites to check like AVVO. Simply go to the site and type in the lawyer’s name.
Final Words
It is okay to go with your gut. If you like the lawyer, and feel comfortable, hire them. If you are in need of an Athens criminal defense attorney, we encourage you to take these steps when researching our firm. Meet with us during a free case evaluation and get a feel for how our firm can help you.
Call the Law Offices of J. Lee Webb today at (706) 705-5122 to schedule your free case consultation.
Why Choose Our Firm?
Put a Devoted Attorney On Your Side-
We understand both the procedure of drug & alcohol tests, and the science behind them
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Attorney Webb has earned numerous awards for his standard of excellence.
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Clients receive Attorney Webb's personal cell phone & email address.
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We have over 25 years of legal experience.
We can Make a difference
Hear from Other Clients We've Helped-
Criminal Defense Client
He is knowledgeable and very professional.
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DUI Client
This was a first-time DUI (0.08), first-ever offense of any sort. I was referred to Lee by a lawyer friend. Lee and Alisa (his assistant) did an outstanding job of guiding me through the process from first contact all the way through trial (that never occu
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Kevin W. / DUI Client
Lee did an amazing job on my case. He asked me to walk through all of the details of what had happened and then studied the police reports in great detail. Once we went to court it was clear from the beginning that the judges and prosecutors really respect
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DUI Client
Once I came into contact with Mr. Webb after facing an arrest for driving under the influence, I knew he was the man I could trust to help me when it came to the law. He simplified the legal process and was successfully able to reduce the charge I was pres
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DUI Client
As soon as I was charged with a DUI, I reached out to Lee Webb for representation—and my experience could not be more ideal. He immediately initiated an appeal for my administrative license suspension and reached out to the prosecutors for negotiation. Les
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DUI Client
The court kept pushing out my case date, but after three years, Lee was able to get it dismissed. I would recommend Lee to anyone facing criminal charges—even if you think it is an open-and-shut case, there are a number of factors that can change the outco
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Criminal Defense Client
I immediately researched defense lawyers and scheduled a free consultation with Lee Webb. As soon as I walked into his office, I felt relieved. While the situation was embarrassing, Lee treated me with respect and helped me through the process. He was alwa
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Criminal Defense Client
Lee and his team kept me updated throughout the entire process, and were always available if I had any questions. Lee was brutally honest and was true to his word during my proceedings. I am very satisfied with his representation as well as the results of
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Criminal Defense Client
I cannot say enough about Lee Webb. From start to finish, he made a miserable experience tolerable. Each employee I worked with – including with the individual who answered the phone on weekends—was top notch and beyond pleasant. The team kept me informed