Getting A Dui Lawyer?

Q: My 23-YO daughter was at a Christmas party at her apartment, and had more than enough to drink. She went to bed, slept for about 5 hours, and drove a friend of hers to the airport, feeling OK, but groggy, which she thought came from a lack of sleep. On the way home, something caused her car to swerve right (tire?, Pot hole?) and she over corrected to the left, which made her hit the median and roll her car, totaling it. When the police came, she took a Breathalyzer, which showed she still had an .13 BA level. She is taking Prozac, which MIGHT have slowed her metabolism. She doesn't dispute any of this, and has accepted responsibility for her actions, and we both feel that she should go in and plead guilty, throwing herself on the mercy of the court. However, it seems that none of HER friends, nor mine, think this is wise, saying that she actually could get hammered worse than she deserves. She has received several letters from San Francisco "ambulance chasers", but there has to be a way to get a reputable lawyer ("reputable" means that you don't have to check your rings, nor count your fingers, after shaking their hand!). Does anyone have any suggestions?

A: 1) Do not hire a lawyer that sends out mail. 2) Ask around. Even a civil lawyer that doesn't do do criminal case would know who to call. 3) Call the local Criminal Bar Asso. There has to be one, and all of their members are likely to be full time specialists. 4) Only SF lawyer I know is Tony Cerra. If he doesn't have time to take it, at least he can refer you to someone that can. 5) These cases are not all hopeless. Get the facts from an expert before you throw in the towel.

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