If I were facing DWI prosecution, I would hire the lawyer who would give me the best chance of getting out of the DWI – period. More specifically, I would hire a lawyer who is highly trained and dedicated, who takes pride in who he or she is and hates to lose. My lawyer would have to go to the extra mile for ME! If I have a tough case, I want the lawyer who is going to find a way to get me out of trouble, not throw in the towel or give me excuses. I want the lawyer with a proven record of winning, especially the difficult case. In essence, I would hire a lawyer who emulates how we at The Wilder Firm represent our clients.
What to Look For:
Finding an aggressive DWI Trial Lawyer who knows how to get results should be your top priority; for in the end, results are what matter.
You should retain a lawyer who devotes the majority of their practice to defending DWI cases. No lawyer can give you a guarantee on the outcome of your case (if one does, beware!); however, retaining a lawyer who concentrates on DWI defense will maximize your chances of being found Not Guilty.
If you have never been through this before, you probably don’t know who to call, and it seems lawyers are a dime a dozen. If this is not your first time, and you are searching for a different lawyer, you know just how important it is to hire an experienced DWI lawyer. You need to understand that just because someone is an attorney does not mean he or she has the necessary DWI experience to defend you and your DWI case. Further, not knowing what to look for in a lawyer makes the challenge of finding the right one even more difficult. It is extremely important to find an experienced, competent DWI defense lawyer who knows how to investigate your case for factual and legal defenses, visit the scene with a camera for potential trial exhibits, interview witnesses, suppress evidence, compel discovery of offense reports and breath test maintenance records, negotiate for a dismissal or reduction in charges, obtain expert witnesses for trial, attempt to save your driving privileges, and knows how to win the "difficult" case. In essence, you need a lawyer who will fight for you and leave no stone unturned in defending you. Remember, a conviction on your record will be there forever!
Contrary to popular belief, local bar association referral services are not necessarily a good source of information since they do not screen for qualifications. You are simply given the next name on the list. Likewise, any lawyer can take out an ad in the Yellow Pages, regardless of experience or ability.
After your consultation with the defense attorney, the following should be evident:
- the lawyer has extensive experience in litigating and trying DWIs;
- the lawyer has a reputation for going to trial (not for pleading clients guilty);
- the lawyer has won difficult cases (he or she is not all talk);
- you feel comfortable with the manner in which the lawyer communicated with you (If you are not comfortable, do you think the jury would feel comfortable?);
- the lawyer listened to you (or did he or she do all the talking?);
- the lawyer was genuinely interested in you and your case;
- the financial agreement was clearly defined; and
- you have a strong sense of confidence in his or her ability to professionally and competently handle your case!
Doug is a member of the National College for DUI Defense. This national organization is comprised of the best DWI/DUI lawyers from across the nation. Our members are in constant contact with each other and serve as a think-tank for ideas on how to successfully defend those accused of drunk driving. The Wilder Firm has obtained valuable information from this organization, including proven, successful trial techniques that have assisted us in obtaining dismissals, reduction of charges and Not Guilty verdicts for our clients.
DWI laws are constantly changing and the consequences of a conviction are becoming harsher, not to mention the negative impact of being labeled a criminal for the rest of your life. If being convicted is not an option, give us a call at 214-741-4000 or toll free at 1-888-DWI-ARREST (1-888-394-2773) !