Characteristics of An Experienced DWI Attorney
In virtually every legal situation, a lawyer will help you through the confusing legal process. However, as in all professions, there are lawyers that are good, average, and even incompetent. How do you find a good DWI attorney?
A DWI attorney must have a specialty in taking and winning DWI cases. Public defenders may be excellent trial lawyers, DWI cases require a different specialty. Your DWI lawyer needs specialized knowledge of human physiology, alcohol toxicology analysis, and analysis of breathalyzer results.
Furthermore, a good DWI attorney is intimately familiar with the nuances of the proper way to conduct a DWI arrest.
These nuances includes potential police errors, intimidation tactics, police interrogation tactics, proper arrest procedures, and a many other specific yet extremely important details that only a DWI specialist can handle competently.
Your DWI attorney prepare you for your case. Additionally, they will represent you at the driver's license suspension hearings, and at the actual criminal court hearing. If necessary he will consult with the prosecutor to determine if there is any possibility of reducing your criminal charge, or possibly dropping charges completely.
State laws may vary. Certain states might not allow a pre-negotiated reduction in the criminal charges.
When you interview potential DWI attorneys, be absolutely sure that the one you select has real-life DWI case experience. Any attorney properly licensed with the bar association can represent himself or herself a DWI attorney, even if he or she doesn't have the actual expertise. Some present themselves this way to attract clients. DWI defense cases can be a very lucrative.
Beware of aggressive lawyers that advise all of their DWI clients to plead guilty. This reduces their time in court, allowing them to focus more on marketing and recruiting clients.
Look at the lawyer-to-paralegal ratio, which is an often overlooked way to determine the worth of a DWI attorney. Busy lawyers often require one or two paralegals (at least) to organize and assist with caseloads.
Paralegals serve as case project managers by delegating tasks to others. Delegated tasks include such persons as courier services, process servers, investigators, and law clerks. Paralegals also assist in organizing the attorney's schedule.
Basically, good paralegals allow your attorney focus more on your case and less on administrative and other time-consuming tasks. An attorney who is focused on your case instead of on trivial tasks will provide you with high-quality legal representation.
It can save you a much money if you do your own research. If you determine that you intend to plead guilty after researching the possibilities, you can handle this without an hiring an attorney's.
However, it is still advisable to consult with a DWI attorney at least once. Be absolutely sure that pleading guilty is your only feasible option.
This article is ©2006 by Doug Smith, who provides many free and valuable articles on DWI Arrests. Learn more about DWI arrests, DWI attorneys, your DWI rights, the dangers of drinking and driving, and much more DWI information at http://DWI.FindCarsForHire.com. This article may be freely reprinted as long as this copyright notice remains intact, the article is unchanged, and all hyperlinks remain active and clickable.
|