What should you look for in a DWI / DUI attorney? First, look for experience. There is no substitute for the knowledge and skill that come with many years of handling DWI cases. Second, look for a lawyer who will handle your case personally and devote sufficient time and resources to your case. Third, look for an attorney with whom you can establish a comfortable and trusting relationship. The initial interview is a good indicator. Did the attorney meet with you directly, or were you relegated to an assistant? Did the lawyer spend enough time with you to fully explain the process and answer all your questions? Was the attorney able to analyze your case readily and explain how the law applies to the facts of your case? Did the lawyer level with you about the outcome possibilities, or did you get suspect promises and grandiose predictions?
You may have visited DWI / DUI sites that warn you to retain only attorneys who specialize in DWI cases. These sites generally make aggressive claims about the abilities and performance of their lawyers, and present DWI defense as requiring specialized skills and experience that only they possess. The fact is that good DWI / DUI defense work requires the same skills as any other competent criminal defense work: ample client communication, detailed knowledge of the law and facts, solid pre-trial preparation, and good courtroom skills. DWI cases are the bread and butter of many criminal defense lawyers, and these attorneys work just as hard and are every bit as competent to handle DWI cases as the self-pronounced DWI specialists.
What to look for in a DWI / DUI attorney
DWI / DUI Law
DWI / DUI Procedure
DWI Driver’s License Suspensions and Surcharges
