Driving while intoxicated is a serious charge that needs to be handled in criminal court. Because this can be a rather complex process, proper legal representation is imperative. Who you choose to handle your DWI case is crucial, but it’s also important that you understand their role and responsibilities, along with potential consequences of a DWI charge.
In this article, we’ll explain what to do if you’re charged with a DWI while also explaining the role of your attorney in this process.
How does hiring a DWI attorney benefit you?
It’s no secret that hiring a DWI lawyer whom you can trust can make a world of difference in terms of the outcomes of your case. Their opinion alone is quite valuable, not to mention their legal representation of you. This is why many individuals immediately start Googling things such as DWI lawyers near me once they’re charged with drunk driving.
A well-versed attorney can help you avoid penalties such as jail time, suspension of license, vehicle impoundment, fines, and so much more. Oftentimes, they’ll manage to reduce the sentence, offer alternative sentencing options, or even have the case dropped altogether.
What are the responsibilities of a DWI attorney?
There are many different tasks that a DWI attorney is responsible for. For starters, they help clients understand what could happen as a result of their charge. They’ll also advise them on additional issues that could potentially occur, whether that’s complications with their insurance, facing a job loss, or getting addiction treatment.
They will also work on collecting evidence, go through police reports and analyze them. They will also use their in-depth knowledge and experience to come up with the best defense strategy. They will also represent the clients at trials and court hearings and argue on their behalf while keeping clients’ best interests in mind.
Why do you need an attorney when going to trial?
When charged with a DWI, some individuals may choose to represent themselves in a trial. However, this is often not a good idea for several reasons. For starters, most individuals are not equipped with legal experience and knowledge necessary to defend the case on their own. Not having a DWI lawyer on your side can also make it difficult for you to understand potential negative effects of your charge.
Moreover, you may not be familiar with different sentencing options that exist that could help you address these consequences. On top of that, the laws regarding drunk driving are constantly changing and can be rather complex. This makes it difficult for someone with no training or experience in the legal landscape to properly navigate the legal system while representing themselves appropriately.
How do you choose the best lawyer for your case?
We already explained why representing yourself on the court may not be the best of options when dealing with a DWI charge. The question is, how do you choose a lawyer who suits your needs best? For starters, you want to take a look at their qualifications, past experiences with their clients, as well as their overall success rate and online reviews.
You should also look for the one who specializes in handling cases like yours while possessing a deep understanding of the local court system. If they are available, easy to communicate with, and able to answer all your questions, that’s a good sign they’ll be there for you and fight for your case with passion.
What type of lawyer should you choose for your case?
Last but not least, the type of attorney that you choose to hire for your DWI case also plays an important role. Some may opt for general practitioners or criminal defense attorneys to handle their case while others may choose a DWI specialist. There’s a vast difference between these types of attorneys, mainly in terms of the level of knowledge, training, and expertise.
Some individuals may even choose to hire private lawyers. While they may be costly, they do offer certain perks, such as more one-on-one time or not being required to personally make
court appearances (meaning you don’t have to miss work if you’re a busy professional). If a private lawyer is not an option, you may be appointed a public defender. Of course, there is always an option of not hiring a lawyer at all and representing yourself, although this option comes with certain drawbacks you should be aware of.
A well-versed attorney as key to ensuring the best possible outcome
Dealing with DWI charges can be quite overwhelming. However, once you learn what to expect from the entire process and what to look for in a DWI attorney, things start to feel a little less stressful.
With a reliable professional on your side, you’ll have a peace of mind knowing they’ll do everything in their power to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.
