Do I Need to be Present in my DUI Hearing?

Reader’s Question:

I just need to clear some things in my DUI case. I’m thinking about getting a lawyer but I need to know first, how long will a DUI case be settled and do I and my lawyer need to be present in every hearing?

Felicity

Phoenix, AZ

A new court rule in Arizona says that all DUI cases must either conclude by a plea bargain or go to trial within six months from their start date. The DUI lawyer should now have the energy and resources to litigate your DUI case in a compressed time-frame.

It is very important that your DUI lawyer is not only available but also has the resources in the form of support staff to handle his/her caseload. Phoenix Municipal Court now requires a lawyer (and usually the defendant) to be present at every hearing, which is not the case before because previously, a lawyer can get both himself and his client out of every court appearance prior to trial. This could be difficult for solo practitioners, who are often forced to hire a lawyer from outside of their firms to make appearances for their clients. It may look good that your DUI lawyer represents that he/she will handle everything in your DUI case, but in reality, the lawyer is bogged down doing paralegal stuff, making minor court appearances, managing his/her office, doing witness interviews, answering routine questions, tending to their practice, fending off vendors, etc. In this case, they may not have the time or energy to concentrate where their efforts should be, which is in working the important legal and strategic aspects of your DUI case.