How do I select an attorney after I've been charged with DWI ?
Due to the severity of DWI penalties and the difficulty in winning DWI cases, it is essential to select an attorney who will provide the highest level of representation to obtain the best possible result. A Defendant should look for three critical qualities when selecting an attorney.
Firstly, DWI representation should be the focus of the attorney's practice. Any attorney can appear in Court to represent a DWI defendant. To provide the highest level of representation, however, an attorney must focus his attention on the latest cases and defense techniques . You should ask the attorney then, whether DWI is the focus of their practice, or just one of a number of areas of practice such as consumer claims, real estate closings, divorce cases or personal injury suits.
Secondly, make sure that you retain an attorney who will fight for you. A DWI attorney should be willing to try every DWI case, unless and only unless, there are good reasons not to do so. All too often, attorneys agree to defend clients and accept fees ( usually less than customary fees for DWI representation ) only to tell the client that " there is nothing that can be done " and that a guilty plea should be entered. Remember that you can not win unless you force the State to prove their case. Attorneys who are neither willing or inclined to try DWI cases, should be avoided.
Thirdly, you should retain an attorney who has made a serious effort to remain on the cutting edge of DWI law. Attorneys should constantly be attending seminars and training sessions to be current on the most recent approaches in defending clients in these cases.