Top Rio Rancho, NM Drunk Driving Lawyers Near You

Are You Facing Drunk Driving Charges?

If you are faced with drunk driving charges, you are undoubtedly worried about what is going to happen. Of course drunk driving charges are serious, but whatever charges you are facing can be mitigated with the help of an experienced Rio Rancho drunk driving lawyer.

Drunk Driving Offenses

There are many things that fall under drunk driving offenses, depending on the state you are in. For instance, many people are familiar with driving under the influence (DUI), or driving while intoxicated (DWI), and these are most often associated with alcohol consumption.

Did you know that these offenses and others like them also take into account drugs, controlled substances and other factors that may impair a person’s ability to drive? Additionally, these offenses are not just for cars and trucks, a person on a bike, or even a boat can receive these same stiff criminal charges.

Best Time to Seek Legal Help

No matter what your legal issue may be, it is always best to seek legal help early in the process. An attorney can help secure what is likely to be the best possible outcome for your situation and avoid both unnecessary complications or errors.

How to Prepare for Your Initial Consultation

Prepare for your consultation by writing down notes of your understanding of the case, jot down questions and concerns for the attorney, and gather your documents. Remember that you are trying to get a sense of whether the attorney has your trust and can help you address your legal issues. Questions should include how the attorney intends to resolve your issue, how many years he/she has been practicing law and specifically practicing in your area, as well as how many cases similar to yours the attorney has handled. It can also be helpful to broach the subject of fees so that you understand the likely cost and structure of your representation by a specific attorney and/or legal team.

How much does it cost to hire an attorney?

In general, how much an attorney costs will often depend on these four factors: billing method and pricing structure, type of legal work performed, law firm prestige, and attorney experience. Depending on the legal issue you are facing, an attorney may bill you by the hour, settle on a flat fee, or enter into a contingency fee agreement. The type of legal work you need help with will also play a role in cost incurred.

Common legal terms explained

Pro se – This Latin term refers to representing yourself in court instead of hiring professional legal counsel. Pro se representation can occur in either criminal or civil cases.

Statute – Refers to a law created by a legislative body. For example, the laws enacted by Congress are statutes.

Subject matter jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority to hear the claim based on the specific type of issue brought to the court. For example, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court only has subject matter jurisdiction over bankruptcy filings, therefore it does not have the authority to render binding judgment over other types of cases, such as divorce.