DUI Lawyers Find Internet as an Emerging Business Source, DUI Defenders Survey Finds

CALABASAS, Calif., Aug. 11, 2009 -- A recent survey conducted by DUI Defenders at www.dui1.com indicates a rise in the number of DUI/DWI defendants using the internet to research and find a DUI lawyer. Results from the 300 attorneys polled indicated that as much as 40% of their clients use the web to find DUI attorneys, with word of mouth being the most popular method, at 54%.

Other methods of defendant-lawyer matchmaking, such as jail mail and commercial media outlets like newspaper, TV and radio, earned less than 4% in the survey.

While word-of-mouth marketing is the most common way that lawyers find new clients, cyberspace has proven to be a close rival. This shift is in line with the overall increase in people looking to the internet as a reliable and discreet resource.

Although DUI arrests and convictions are up nationally, the vast majority of DUI defendants manage to post bail and gain access to the internet during their pre-trial period. This allows them to privately search for experienced attorneys without the embarrassment of admitting to a DUI arrest when asking friends or family for referrals.

Consequently, DUI lawyers are making an increasingly sustained effort to bolster their presence on the internet, spending money to advertise on DUI-oriented websites, creating a professional website and registering on referral websites to attract new clients. As a result, there are now more DUI-related websites than any other type of legal practice, outnumbering even personal injury-related websites, which have historically been the most prevalent.

This shift in advertising by DUI lawyers has led to major cuts in radio, television and newspaper advertising. The survey also indicated most DUI attorneys receive a much higher rate of return from internet advertising than traditional advertising methods. The DUI Defender's study points to DUI defendants' increasing use of the web to find DUI lawyers and the trend will continue upward, potentially surpassing word-of-mouth referrals.

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DUI Defenders at www.dui1.com is the largest directory of DUI lawyers in the US, ranks highest on Google, and offers the largest body of information on DUI/DWI defense and resources. DUI Defender also offers a DUI Blog at www.kickdui.com.