FINDING A LAS VEGAS DUI ATTORNEY
Trying to find a reputable, competent and experienced DUI lawyer in Las Vegas can be a frustrating experience. In seeking legal representation, the following considerations should be kept in mind:
- What is the lawyer's or law firm's reputation in the Clark County courts?
- What is the attorney's or firm's rating in the Martindale-Hubbell International Directory ("AV" is the highest)?
- Does the attorney or firm specialize in DUI defense exclusively, or do they handle a broader range of criminal or even civil cases?
- Is the lawyer you are considering a member of the National College for DUI Defense?
- Is the quoted fee all-inclusive? Does it include the DMV hearing, investigators, expert fees, blood reanalysis, and other costs?
- Are there additional fees if your case should go to trial? How much?
- Will the lawyer give you a written contract, including all costs, services — and any promised results?
- Has the attorney been disciplined by the Nevada State Bar?
You should realize that results in any DUI case are unpredictable — and no ethical lawyer will make promises as to the outcome of either your criminal court case or DMV license suspension hearing. If such promises are made, insist that the attorney put them in writing (he will not do it).
As for the best DUI lawyers in Las Vegas, there appears to be only one law firm in Nevada which specializes in drunk driving defense exclusively and is "A-V" rated ("very good to preeminent") by the Martindale-Hubbell International Directory of Attorneys:
The Law Offices of Lawrence Taylor: Las Vegas DUI Lawyer
An 8-attorney DUI defense firm which maintains offices in Las Vegas and California and is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. Taylor is a former prosecutor and Fulbright Professor of Law, author of the standard textbook in the field, Drunk Driving Defense, 6th edition, and former Dean of the National College for DUI Defense. The firm accepts DUI and DMV defense cases only.
The following attorney with offices in Reno is also recommended as having developed an excellent professional reputation in the field of drunk driving defense:
Walter B. Fey
Fey is a 1970 graduate of the Air Force Academy, former public defender, and member of the National College for DUI Defense. With 20 years of experience, his practice consists primarily of DUI defense.
For listings of other attorneys in Nevada and in other states practicing DUI defense the following professional association can be helpful:
National College of Drunk Driving Defense
Nationwide organization of over 800 lawyers who primarily defend clients accused of drunk driving.