In this blog, I’ll expose the truth about low-cost DUI lawyers and reveal how their hidden tactics could sabotage your DUI case, leaving you with devastating consequences.
Everyone wants to save money, and price is an important factor when choosing a DUI lawyer. However, price shouldn’t be the only factor. Arguably, your top priority should be getting the best quality defense for the money you’re spending. But what does a “best quality defense” actually look like?
DUI Lawyer’s Job: Finding Reasonable Doubt
A DUI lawyer’s job is to find reasonable doubt in the evidence against you. They need to identify question marks that would lead a judge to conclude that the Crown can’t prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, resulting in your case being dismissed.
To properly fight your case and find those question marks, you need to believe and have faith in two things:
- Your DUI lawyer gets all the evidence against you.
- Your DUI lawyer does a proper analysis of that evidence to find opportunities.
The reality is that a proper analysis takes time, and everyone, including DUI lawyers, needs to make money for their time. If you receive a low-price quotation from a DUI lawyer, you need to ask yourself: does that price make sense? If it’s much lower than other reputable DUI lawyers, how is that lawyer going to make money?
The Low-Price DUI Lawyer Scam: Cutting Corners
Here’s where the scam comes in. With low pricing, the only way for a DUI lawyer to make money is to cut corners, and there are two ways they can do this:
- Getting your evidence: When you go to your first appearance, you’ll receive evidence, but what most people don’t know is that it’s often incomplete. Your DUI lawyer needs to review that evidence in detail, identify evidence gaps, and request additional evidence to fill those gaps. If your lawyer isn’t charging enough, do they have the incentive to go the extra mile and order that missing evidence? Remember, opportunities are often found in these additional evidence requests.
- Analyzing your evidence: A proper analysis involves getting all your evidence, putting it in chronological order, and comparing what the Crown can actually prove versus what was supposed to happen under the law and various Charter of Rights and Freedoms case rulings. If there’s a gap between what the Crown can prove and what was supposed to happen, that’s the opportunity your DUI lawyer needs to fight your case. This analysis takes real time, so ask yourself: is your lawyer getting paid enough to do that proper analysis? If not, they may be cutting corners, resulting in a substandard defense that you’ll never know about.
How to Avoid DUI Lawyer Scams: Do Your Research
To prevent getting scammed, do your research:
- Speak to multiple lawyers to get a sense of market pricing for DUI defense in your area.
- Check online reviews to verify the results they have achieved for their clients..
- Be wary of fees that are much lower than other DUI lawyers. This is a huge red flag, as it suggests that the lawyer may not have the experience, skill, or resources necessary to provide an adequate defense.
What is the job of a DUI lawyer?
A DUI lawyer's job is to find reasonable doubt in the evidence against their client. They need to identify question marks that would lead a judge to conclude that the Crown can't prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, resulting in the case being dismissed.
How can I avoid getting scammed by a low-price DUI lawyer?
To avoid getting scammed by a low-price DUI lawyer, do your research: speak to multiple lawyers to get a sense of market pricing, check online reviews to verify their results, consider whether their fee allows for enough work to be done properly, and be wary of fees that are much lower than other legal representatives.
