Successful DWI Law Defense Requires Research
DWI law is a complicated criminal defense area requiring very specialized knowledge. Many lawyers can successfully utilize courtroom procedures as well as the rules of evidence. However, attorneys specializing in DWI law can also handle the complicated issues of politics, legal jargon, and science to create a successful DWI defense.
Unfortunately, we are blitzed with a confusing array of law practitioners. How do you know if your DWI lawyer can successfully you?
First, learn if the attorney has had any disciplinary actions. Determine if they are actually licensed to practice DWI law. Consult the Bar Association in your state. The Bar maintains lists of attorneys in good standing active licenses.
When seeking a DWI attorney, the State Bar Association is a good place to try first. They can refer you to licensed attorneys in good standing specializing in DWI cases. If you contact the Bar first, you might be eligible for a free or low-cost first consultation with a DWI lawyer.
Research the fee structure of the attorney. Most lawyers practicing DWI law charge on a flat fee basis. Depending on your situation, staged or hourly billing might be more appropriate.
Regardless of the fee structure, be sure that the attorney does not charge on a contingency basis, which is prohibited by the Bar Association guidelines. Remember that more experienced attorneys will of course charge much more than their younger and less experienced competitors.
If you find an attorney charging outrageous fees higher than other similarly experienced attorneys, determine why. Maybe they win most of their cases and are in high demand. On the other hand, unusually low fees may indicate an attorney that gives undesirable results.
Consider the current caseload of your potential attorney. Some lawyers do no more than plead a case, without actually going to trial. Being in court to defending a case is hugely more time-consuming than simply entering a plea of guilty.
A good trial lawyer limits his DWI client caseload to a handful so that the he can give each client appropriate attention.
Check the lawyer's references to find out his competency. Ask the references what kind of work the lawyer did with that client. A successful trial defense (e.g., not guilty, or charges were dropped) carries much more weight than a reference who applauds the "speedy handling" of a DWI case.
"Speedy handling" might just amount to nothing more than entering a guilty plea on behalf of the client.
Try speaking to other attorneys who do not handle criminal cases. They have the inside gossip on lawyers in your area and can offer opinions of other lawyers' reputations.
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.
|