•   Track Record of Success: Do not hesitate to ask a potential lawyer about how many cases they have successfully handled (keep in mind that success can mean different things in different cases).

   •   Lecturing to Peers: Successful lawyers have experience teaching other lawyers at various seminars and workshops. You would be well-served to know if your potential legal counsel is in the category of lawyers who are qualified to teach peers how to excel in their chosen profession.

   •   Communication and Response Time: This may be the most important factor of all. How quickly does your potential attorney return your phone call or email? It is vitally important that you reach your lawyer in your time of need, whenever that time happens to be.

You’ve just been arrested for DWI... Now what?

Your DWI arrest was a frightening experience.  You were publicly humiliated and forced to perform Field Sobriety Tests in front of passing cars on the side of the road.  You felt the handcuffs digging into your wrists, and your pleas to have them loosened were ignored. Finally, after dealing with the seemingly endless delays associated with the booking process and enduring the stench of the holding cell, you were released: sweet freedom, at long last.  What can you do NOW to ensure that you never see the inside of a jail cell again? You must hire a qualified DWI defense lawyer.

One of the most important decisions you will make about your case is your representation. The truth about legal representation is harsh: People accused of DWI get about as much justice as they can afford. As has been said for generations, “Good lawyers

How do you know whether or not a potential lawyer is well-qualified to handle your DWI case? While there are never any guarantees, you will generally have better luck if you inquire into some of the following areas:

   •   Years of Experience: You do not want a lawyer to be learning at your expense. A lawyer with at least a decade of experience will certainly be seasoned enough to handle your case.

   •    Memberships in Professional Organizations: Membership in groups dedicated to DWI defense is a strong sign of a potential lawyer’s commitment to his or her practice. A particularly skilled attorney will be a member of the National College of DWI Defense.

   •   Specialized Training: Your potential lawyer should have completed advanced training in Field Sobriety Testing as well as breath and blood testing protocols.The best lawyers recognize the importance of good communication and make sure to address this issue. Many exceptional DWI defense lawyers actually own the different types of breath machines used in their jurisdictions.   

aren’t cheap, and cheap lawyers aren’t good.” Many times, defense lawyers underbid each other to gain a client and find that their quoted fee cannot support the work necessary to successfully represent that client.

Generally, people who are arrested for suspicion of drunk driving are not DWI defense lawyers. They may be skilled in many things in life, but defending DWI cases is usually not one of them. Therefore, selecting a lawyer to defend your DWI case is similar to choosing a doctor to handle a necessary medical procedure: You hire the most experienced professional you can find. Once the doctor (or lawyer) is selected, you need to do nothing but relax and let the professional do his or her best to help.