There are plenty of traffic violations and instances where a lawyer is not needed, but a DWI or DUI does not fall into that jurisdiction. If you have found yourself being accused of a DWI, you should be looking for a DWI lawyer to represent you as soon as you can.
A DWI can lead to a fine, license suspension, jail time or all of the above. To get the best representation or to try for the best outcome, you need to make sure you have a lawyer on your side.
If you’re not sure what to do, follow these steps to find a lawyer who will best represent you and defend your case.
So, is it worth it?
In one word: yes. You do not want to go into a courtroom having been accused of a DWI without legal representation. With a lawyer, you’re far more likely to not have your license suspended and more likely to have the case reduced or dismissed entirely.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time offender, second-time offender or what have you, bringing a lawyer with you is the right decision.
How to Go About Finding An Attorney
You may not know any attorneys or any person with a background in legal affairs, so finding an attorney may be a bit of a challenge.
The good news is, the internet is here to help you. You’re going to want to find a specialized lawyer. Not all lawyers are created equal. An environmental lawyer isn’t going to help you out much neither would someone that deals primarily with litigation. Finding a lawyer who is experienced in similar cases is going to be your best bet.
Head to the internet to search for a DWI or DUI lawyers in your area and be sure to check out the reviews from past clients. If you’re still not sure, you can take a look at your state’s bar association to see if they have lawyers they could recommend to you.
Even though many cases don’t go to trial, you’ll want someone who is experienced in the courtroom if it does go down that road.
Over one million people are arrested each year for driving under the influence, so there should be no shortage of lawyers in your area.
So You Found a Lawyer, Now What?
Just because you found a lawyer doesn’t mean that you can just sit back and let everything wash away. You’ll need to take a proactive approach with your lawyer.
Ask them all the questions you can think of, everything from courtroom policy to the steps that are going to be taken next. If you don’t understand something, keep asking until it all becomes clear. One of the main questions to ask is if your case can be kept off the record. A DWI case is going to follow you around for the rest of your life and will show up on any background checks and you’ll have to report it on job applications.
You’ll also want to be aware of the costs up front so you’re not caught off guard by any fees or areas that aren’t clear. Don’t feel bad about asking a ton of questions or taking up too much time, the lawyer is there for your case.
Once you have your lawyer, be sure to stay informed and maintain an open line of communication. You should know of any big news or events as soon as they happen.
What the Lawyer will Do
After collecting all the information from you, the lawyer should be able to make a case and will look into the following areas.
They’ll be able to look into the arrest details as well as make sure that none of your rights were violated during the process. They can also look at any weaknesses in the prosecution and see what they can do to get your case dismissed.
At the end of the day, you’ll want to leave with two things: your license still in hand and a clean record. People rely so much on their vehicles every day and being without one could severely hurt your professional and personal life.
