DUI In California

Reader’s Question:

I’ve seen the words “AV rated” on the adds for some DUI lawyers. What is an AV rated California DUI lawyer?

Joanne

Great Question Joanne.

An AV rated California DUI lawyer is undoubtedly a lawyer of such quality that they were conferred the honor of being rated by their peers and colleagues. An AV rating is determined by other lawyers and measures the lawyer in question’s contributions to law and the community. Having a good AV rating implies a lot of things about the lawyer–it means they probably participate in learning and teaching about law, that they have many many years of experience, that they have proven to be successful both in their business and in their cases, that they are valuable to the law community, and more.

One setback for you here is that the prices these lawyers charge may cause you to faint. There’s really no point hiring an AV rated Oakland California DUI lawyer for a small, insignificant case, as that’s kind of overdoing it, but if you have a big one a lawyer with this rating might be necessary for success.

–Fashun.

Reader’s Question:

Will the judge be upset with me if I hire a DWI lawyer and fight the DWI charges instead of pleading guilty?

Ray

San Diego CA

Thank you for asking Ray.

The California constitution prohibits punishing you for asserting your right to a trial. Despite the constitution, small number of judges do threaten more harsh penalties later for not pleading guilty early. This tactic often works with less experienced lawyers. Other lawyers can call the judge’s bluff, outsmart him or her, or arrange for a different judge to handle the DWI case.

Those judges handling misdemeanors are extremely puffed up with their own importance. The meanest of these judges are often those that have been stuck forever handling traffic tickets and misdemeanors, because their colleagues recognize their intellectual limitations. In addition to that a huge ego with incompetence, and you have a person who replaces hard knowledge with bluster and intimidation. A best lawyer you can get in California is armed with a solid background in the law, and a willingness to challenge this type of judge can often prevail over even the worst of them. After all, isn’t that what you hire the best California DWI lawyer for?

MariCAR