DUI clients are some of the hardest people to ask for a review. Many of them are embarrassed about the arrest, worried about their job and eager to put the whole thing behind them. Posting a public review under their own name that mentions a DUI lawyer is the last thing a lot of them want to do.
That leaves many DUI firms with thin review profiles, even when they have helped hundreds of drivers. Reviews still matter for local search and for the person comparing three firms on a phone, so the goal is to make asking easy and safe for the client and to handle every review, good or bad, without crossing ethical lines.
Before you ask for DUI reviews
- Ask only after the case is fully resolved
- Make clear that the review is optional and the client controls what they say
- Never offer anything in exchange for a review
- Never post reviews on a client’s behalf or ask staff to post them
- Plan your replies so they reveal nothing about the client’s case
- Check your state bar’s rules on testimonials and client reviews
Why DUI reviews are harder to get
A client in a family law or injury case may be happy to talk about a good outcome. A DUI client often is not. The charge carries stigma, and a review can sit on a profile for years where coworkers or future employers might find it.
Some clients also worry that a review could hurt them, for example if they are still dealing with license issues or a related civil matter. Respect that. A firm that pushes for reviews too hard can damage the trust it spent the whole case building.
Timing and how to ask
Ask once the matter is closed, including any license hearing or reinstatement steps the firm handled. A good moment is the final call or meeting where the lawyer explains the result and the next steps.
Ask in person or by phone first, briefly: “If you were happy with how we handled things, a short review would help other people in your situation find us. It is completely up to you.” Then send a short follow-up message with a direct link to your Google Business Profile review form so the client does not have to search for it.
Tell clients they can leave a review using initials or a first name only if the platform allows it, and that they do not need to mention the charge at all. A review that says the lawyer returned calls quickly and explained everything clearly is useful on its own.
What Google allows and what it does not
Google’s policies for reviews prohibit incentives such as discounts, gifts or payment in exchange for reviews, and they prohibit fake engagement, including reviews posted by staff or written for the customer. Violations can lead to removed reviews or restrictions on a business profile.
Keep the process clean. Send the same request to every client whose case is closed, do not write reviews for anyone and do not have office staff or friends post them. A slower trickle of real reviews is worth far more than a profile that gets flagged.
How DUI reviews connect to your website
Reviews help most when the rest of your online presence answers the questions that brought the searcher in. A driver who sees strong reviews and then lands on a vague, catch-all DUI page may still leave. Pages that speak to the reader’s exact situation keep them reading.
If you are planning how to organize that content, this guide to separate pages for first, second and felony DUI charges explains how to split DUI content by charge level so each reader finds a page written for them.
Replying to reviews without revealing anything
Replying to reviews shows that the firm is attentive. The risk is in what the reply says. Lawyers owe a duty of confidentiality that does not end when the case does, and it can apply even to the fact that a person was a client.
For positive reviews, keep replies short and general: thank the reviewer and say you appreciate the feedback. Avoid confirming details such as the charge, the result or the court, even if the reviewer mentioned them first.
Negative reviews need more care. In Formal Opinion 496, issued in January 2021, the American Bar Association said that a negative online review alone does not permit a lawyer to reveal confidential client information in response. The opinion suggests options such as not responding, or posting a brief reply saying that professional obligations prevent the lawyer from responding in detail. Your state’s rules and ethics opinions control, so check them before replying.
Using reviews on your own site
Some firms like to quote reviews on their website. Many states regulate how testimonials can be used in lawyer advertising, and some require disclaimers when a testimonial mentions a result. Before you add review quotes to a DUI page, check your state bar’s advertising rules and get the client’s permission if your rules require it.
Embedding a live review feed from Google is another option, though the same rules may apply. When in doubt, ask your state bar’s ethics hotline.
For more on rankings, the map pack and charge pages, there are more guides on criminal defense SEO that cover the search side in detail.
Questions about DUI reviews
Can I ask for a review while the case is still open?
It is better to wait. The client is still under stress, the outcome is not known and a review posted mid-case could create problems for them.
Is it okay to send a reminder if the client does not respond?
One gentle reminder is reasonable. After that, let it go. Repeated requests to a DUI client can feel like pressure.
Should I report fake negative reviews?
If a review appears to come from someone who was never a client, you can flag it through your Google Business Profile. Do not reply in a way that confirms or denies whether the person was a client.
This guide is part of SBD Marketing’s coverage of DUI attorney marketing. SBD Marketing works only with criminal defense law firms.
SBD Marketing · info@sbdmarketing.agency · Book a call: sbdmarketing.agency/scheduling · Serving criminal defense law firms across the USA · sbdmarketing.agency
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