If you are facing driving under the influence [DUI] or driving while intoxicated [DWI] charges, you are probably upset, emotional, nervous, and fearful of the outcome of the case. A DUI is a serious offense that can make you lose your driving license, attract a huge fine, or face a jail term. This is why you need a DWI lawyer to help you protect your rights and minimize the impact of your actions.
But with so many DWI lawyers available today, how can you ensure that you choose the right one that will defend you? Well, if you are looking for an experienced and skilled DWI lawyer, there are plenty of things you should look for in the lawyer. In this article, we discuss some of the essential things that you need to look for in a DWI lawyer. Let’s delve into them.
- Qualifications
One of the crucial things you should pay attention to when hiring a DWI lawyer is qualification. In most cases, most lawyers usually display their qualifications on their websites. You need to find out which law school the lawyer attended, if they passed the bar exam, and any other necessary information you may want to know regarding the qualification of the lawyer.
- Specialization
If you are facing DWI charges, it is important that you hire a lawyer that specializes in DWI cases. A criminal defense lawyer may not be the best person to represent you in your DWI case since he or she may not have a better understanding of the DWI laws. DWI laws can be quite complicated, and navigating a DWI defense isn’t easy as it requires well-honed skills. So if you want the best outcome for your case, you need to hire a DWI lawyer from Law office of Andrew Williams because their lawyers specialize in DWI cases.
- Experience
Another crucial thing you should look for in a DWI lawyer is experience. If you want to reduce the consequences of your action and protect your reputation, you should only hire an experienced DWI lawyer.
An experienced DWI lawyer knows how he or she will navigate the defense and, at the same time, protect your rights. An experienced DWI lawyer will also do everything in his or her power to avoid you being convicted. To gauge the lawyer’s experience, ask them the following questions:
- How long have you been practicing DWI law?
- How many DWI cases have you handled in the past, and how many are still pending?
- Have you handled cases similar to mine?
- How many DWI cases have you won?
The more the number of years the lawyer has been handling DWI cases, the more experienced they are. And if you find a DWI lawyer who has won many DWI cases, you have found yourself a good DWI lawyer.
- Reputation
Reputation is also another crucial thing you need to look for in your preferred DWI lawyer. When hiring a DWI lawyer, you want to hire one with a good track record. You should ask your preferred DWI lawyer if he or she has been involved in any malpractice. If their answer is yes, you need to evaluate their response to help you determine whether or not you still want to work with the lawyer. However, remember that working with a lawyer who has a history of serious malpractice or has been sanctioned by the state bar can make your DWI case hang in the balance. And not only that, some judges normally are not too kind to lawyers with tainted ethical records.
In addition to that, you can gauge the lawyer’s reputation by reading online reviews. Through the reviews, you will be able to know what other people, especially the clients the lawyer has worked with in the past are saying about the lawyer and their services. If you find that the lawyer has more positive reviews, it is an indication that he or he is a good lawyer and they offer excellent services.
- Referrals
A good DWI lawyer should provide you with their referrals. It is good to talk to at least three people who have worked with the lawyer in the past. Ask them about their experience working with that particular lawyer. Do they have complaints? Were they satisfied with the lawyer’s services? Would they refer other people to them? Speaking with someone who has worked with that lawyer can help you make a more informed decision.
- Excellent communication skills
Another vital thing your DWI lawyer should possess is excellent communication skills. The lawyer should be a good communicator whether written or oral. In a legal case, presentation is key. A lawyer that possesses excellent communication skills will be able to present and argue your DWI case in a clearer way. In addition to that, DWI law can be complex, so you need a lawyer who can explain it to you in a simple way to make you understand all the aspects of it easily.
- Confidence
It is pretty difficult to trust a DWI lawyer who seems to lack confidence. Your DWI lawyer must be confident. Of course, this will give you peace of mind and strength knowing that your case will be handled by the right person. If you notice that your preferred DWI lawyer lacks confidence, it may negatively affect your DWI case. So the best thing is to avoid such kind of a lawyer if you want the best outcome on your DWI case.
- Legal fees
Naturally, legal fees can be very expensive, especially if you choose to work with a highly reputable and experienced lawyer. If you can afford those legal fees, you can go ahead and hire such a lawyer. But if you can’t, you need to find a lawyer who will handle your case at a lower fee. The rule of the thumb is to hire a DWI lawyer that you can afford. This can help you prevent further problems for both you and your family.
