You might feel nervous before your first interview with your San Diego DUI attorney, especially if this is your first brush with the criminal justice system, but don't be. A good attorney will recognize that you will be confused and frightened about your situation and will try to make you feel better about your defense prospects going forward.

Your attorney will ask you several questions to get a basic understanding of your case and whether there are any viable defense strategies. Your San Diego DUI attorney will ask you about what happened leading up to your arrest, tell you about the charges you are facing and the corresponding penalties if you are convicted and inform you of viable defense strategies for your case.

Tell the Timeline

The first thing your San Diego DUI lawyer will want to know is exactly what happened the night of your arrest as best as you can remember. Begin your story from several hours before your arrest, including any food or drink you consumed that night, whether alcoholic or not. Include as many details and facts as you can remember. Continue telling the story of what you remember up the point of your eventual encounter with the police and subsequent arrest. This will give your attorney a sense of how strong your case is and how convincing of a defendant you are.

Talk About Your Past

Your San Diego DUI lawyer will need to know basic personal information about you such as your name, phone number, business, marital status and other information. Your attorney will also want to know if you have a prior criminal record or any previous encounters with law enforcement. Even prior motor vehicle convictions and fines should be disclosed because they might affect the status of your case. The prosecution will also know about your prior convictions, and this will have an effect on how plea bargain negotiations proceed because the prosecution may be able to use your record against you. In many cases, having a prior DUI conviction when you receive a second one carries a mandatory prison sentence.

It is important to be honest and open with your attorney. For more information on how a San Diego DUI attorney can help you, call Attorney James V. Hairgrove at 619-667-3743.