Hiring a DWI Lawyer
Are you one of the thousands of people who thought they would never need a DWI lawyer? Hiring a DWI lawyer is important, considering the serious penalties you face if convicted of driving while intoxicated. These penalties may include jail time, probation, fines, community service, and the loss of driving privileges.Before choosing a DWI lawyer, you should first do your homework. Every attorney is different, and you may “click” with one more than another. Be prepared to interview between three to six attorneys before making a decision.
When interviewing a DWI lawyer, ask a lot of questions. Ask the attorney how many drunk-driving cases they have won for their clients and the strategies they used to defend these clients. You should also ask what he or she would to keep a DWI off of your record. If he or she cannot answer this question, move on to the next lawyer.
During the interview, make sure you understand the lawyer’s answers. After all, if you cannot understand your attorney, how can the jury? It is important to hire an articulate lawyer if you want to convince the jury of your innocence.
You should also discuss how much it will cost to handle your case—this will give you an idea of the going rate in your community. Remember that you get what you pay for, so going for the cheapest lawyer may not work in your favor. If an attorney charges substantially higher than the other attorneys you interviewed, ask him or her to explain the rate. If he or she claims to win a higher percentage of DWI cases than other attorneys, and can prove it, it may be worth the extra cost.
After you choose a DWI attorney, get your contract in writing. When you are quoted a fee, ask if that fee covers everything. Your attorney should let you know how much a fully contested jury trial will cost—this will help you avoid unexpected charges later.
Even though you have hired an attorney, you should still keep yourself informed about what is going on with your case. If you don’t understand something, ask your attorney for an explanation. If you don’t receive a logical explanation, you may need to get a second opinion.
