These days, being charged with "driving under the influence" (DUI) or "driving while intoxicated" (DWI) is a very serious offense throughout the United States. If convicted, you'll face jail time, fines, and the loss of your driver's license. That's why it's important to find competent legal representation whenever you're faced with a DUI or DWI charge -- the worst thing you can do is not take it seriously.

Finding a top DUI lawyer to defend you requires some research. Don't just flip open the phone book and choose an attorney at random. Most attorneys specialize in civil and corporate work -- wills, land deeds, contracts and similar things. You need an attorney who specializes in criminal law, because being charged with drunk driving is a criminal offense. You need someone with trial experience.

After making a list of the criminal lawyers in your area, see which ones have the most experience fighting DUI/DWI charges. Experience really does matter in these cases. An experienced DUI attorney will know what kind of plea bargaining is possible in your area, and who to talk to on the prosecutorial side to get you the best deal. If the case actually goes to trial, an experienced defense lawyer will be able to argue more convincingly in your favor and find gaps in the evidence against you.

In particular, it's important to deal with a local DWI lawyer. This is especially true if you're not from the area. Your lawyer back home might be great, but he or she won't know the people and the system like an experienced local attorney does. It's the backroom dealing that will minimize or eliminate your jail time if you're a first offender. It may be inconvenient for you to deal with someone outside your area, but it's worth the hassle to stay out of jail.

Take a drunk driving charge very seriously and find yourself the best local DUI attorney you can find. No one wants to go to jail, and that's probably where you're headed if you can't defend yourself properly.