| An all too common cause of accidents on the | | | | by state associations. The specific rules |
| road is drunk driving. This is why the laws | | | | vary from state to state, but the basic |
| against DUI (Driving Under the Influence) | | | | ethical and professional guidelines are |
| offenders are harsh and strict. | | | | standard. They are that: |
| | | | |
| However, alcoholism is a recognized as a | | | | 1. A lawyer must represent his or her client |
| disease and thus, in some cases those charged | | | | ethically, keenly and within the bounds of |
| with a DUI who also can be proven to be | | | | the law. |
| alcoholic, may have an unusual means to fight | | | | |
| charges. | | | | 2. A lawyer must competently analyze legal |
| | | | issues as well as exercise knowledge of the |
| Alcoholism involves an intense craving for | | | | law that is applicable to the case he or she |
| alcohol that can be as strong as the need for | | | | is handling. |
| food and water. Family, health, and legal | | | | |
| problems are not adequate enough to convince | | | | 3. A lawyer must communicate with his or her |
| an alcoholic to stop drinking and there are | | | | client in a timely and effective manner and |
| those who experience chronic alcoholism their | | | | treat his client as a member of a team. |
| entire lives. Alcohol abuse can lead to drunk | | | | |
| driving. But not all drunk drivers are | | | | 4. A lawyer must be loyal to his or her |
| alcoholics. | | | | client. |
| | | | |
| Thus, the line between deliberate and more | | | | 5. A lawyer must follow a client?s |
| accidental drunk driving is a fine one. So if | | | | suggestions, unless they are illegal. |
| you are charged with a DUI, you?re next step | | | | |
| will be to consult a DUI lawyer. Here?s what | | | | 6. A lawyer must keep his or her client?s |
| you can expect. | | | | property separate from his or her own |
| | | | property and funds should be kept in an |
| The responsibilities of a DUI Lawyer | | | | escrow account. |
| | | | |
| A DUI lawyer has expertise on laws of the | | | | 7. A lawyer is expected to keep all |
| road and the particular crime of driving | | | | information about the case in confidence and |
| while under the influence of drugs and/or | | | | should not divulge anything, except in some |
| alcohol. He has a great deal of | | | | rare circumstances. |
| responsibility, especially if his client is | | | | |
| an alcoholic or alcohol abuser. An alcoholic | | | | 8. Depending on the law governing a state, a |
| client may experience a car accident, but his | | | | lawyer is likewise prohibited from having a |
| or her illegal BAC (or blood alcohol content | | | | personal affair with his or her client. |
| level) may have nothing to do with the | | | | |
| accident. Proving beyond a doubt that a car | | | | 9. A lawyer can only represent a willing |
| accident is not the fault of an alcoholic | | | | client. |
| motorist is a daunting task. | | | | |
| | | | Aside from the above, a lawyer may have other |
| All lawyers, including those that specialize | | | | responsibilities and they depend on the |
| in DUI, are subject to strict standards of | | | | ethical rules that apply in his jurisdiction. |
| professional responsibility. These standards | | | | Any violation of these rules may result in |
| are found in the codes of conduct established | | | | disbarment. |