Being charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) can be very stressful and scary. If you are convicted of DWI, your licensed may be suspended, you can be charged thousands of dollars in fines and fees, and it is possible that you will face jail time. If you are in this type of situation, the very best thing that you can do is hire a reputable attorney as soon as possible. A good DWI attorney will not be cheap, but the fees are well worth it if your attorney is able to secure an acquittal, get the charges reduced, or negotiate a favorable plea deal. Use the following tips when considering attorneys to help you find the right DWI attorney for your case:
Experience and Specialization
When it comes to hiring an attorney to represent you in your DWI case, experience and specialization matter. It is always in your best interest to hire an attorney that solely works on DWI cases instead of a general criminal defense attorney that takes on all sorts of cases. Hiring an attorney who specializes in DWI helps ensure that you're working with someone that has honed their skills and completely understands how to create a solid defense for a DWI case. In addition to specialization, it is also a good idea to inquire about how many years an attorney has been practicing and how many DWI cases he or she have worked on in the past.
Attorney Fees
Few people have tons of extra money to spare, so attorney fees are something that most people need to consider before hiring an attorney. Always ask a potential DWI attorney for a break down of his or her fees and how much it will cost to secure representation for your case. Some attorneys charge by the hour while others offer a flat price for service. Make sure that you hire an attorney who you can afford to pay-- the last thing you want is to show up at court and not have any legal counsel because you hired an attorney out of your price range and ran out of funds.
How Your Case Will Be Handled
When you meet a DWI attorney for a consultation, don't be afraid to ask questions and get a better understanding of what to expect and how your case will be handled. One good question to ask is exactly who will be in charge of your case. If you're having a consultation at a large law firm, it is not uncommon for one of the more senior attorneys to meet with potential clients, but the case will actually be handled by another attorney in the firm.