DUI or driving under influence is a form of legal practice that is dedicated to ensuring safety. Driving under influence is a criminal offense in most jurisdictions and it is considered committed when an individual drives a car under the influence of illegal drugs, alcohol, medicines whether prescribed or not or any other substance. As a DUI lawyer, your must be trained in DUI laws in order to provide representation to clients in such situations. It is a highly rewarding profession requiring adequate skills, training and knowledge. If you are passionate about law and you hope to pursue DUI, then How to become a DUI lawyer (law degree, school, etc.) is your major concern. Here is how
Training
According to American Bar Association, every student aspiring to be a DUI lawyer must complete at least a bachelors degree and a law degree. The association maintains a list of collages and universities accredited to offer a degree in law. Also, a student can utilize one of the online tools like collage mouse tool to search for an ideal collage to join. Students are required to attain a satisfactory score in LSAT also known as Law School Admission Test in order to get admission into one of these institutions.
The course duration varies depending on the institution but every student is required to complete an internship preferably in a DUI firm before graduation. After graduating, the state requires you to pass a state bar written examination to get a license to practice as a DUI lawyer. DUI lawyers are required to regularly attend seminars, training and join associations or a professional body to keep updated in the field. Further, to maintain the license, the state requires all DUI lawyers to participate in continuous tests in order to familiarize with any changes in the DUI laws.
Duties and roles of a DUI lawyer
Your primary role as a DUI lawyer is to represent drivers accused of DUI offense. This requires you to be an expert in this area of law like to clearly understand what constitutes DUI in different states or jurisdiction. As a DIU lawyer, you are tasked with the responsibility of explaining the offense to your client, giving the client expert advice on the best course of action to undertake and representing the client in court.
To successfully represent a client, you must collect and present all the necessary required information, document the information and build a strong case. This information can be blood tests, drivers license, or outcome of the breath test and use this information to dismiss the case or reduce the charges. Some DUI lawyers may also have knowledge of, or consult car accident lawyers.
Career prospects and salaries
Like all other legal professions, San Diego DUI Pro lawyers are witnessing a tremendous growth in the demand for their services. According to Federal Bureau of Investigation, the growth is at 18% annually and is expected to continue increasing. This is due to the increasing population and the increased incidence of driving under influence. However, the sector is highly competitive as more lawyers shift to DIU. Hence to remain at the top, keep investing in your self by attending seminars, joining more professional bodies and building your professional network. Currently, a DUI lawyer earns an average annual income of 56,000 dollars. However, this figure varies depending on experience, location, education, employer among others.