DWI (driving while intoxicated) is an offense where an individual drives while drunk or under the influence of drugs and narcotics. According to statistics, 57 percent of drivers charged with DWI tested positive for either alcohol or drugs, while 17 percent tested positive for both.
The consequences of DWI charges can be very dire, not to mention how expensive DWI lawyers can be. On average, a DWI lawyer can set you back $5,000 to $12,000, but the legal fees could be a lot more depending on your state. In most instances, hiring a competent yet affordable DWI lawyer makes all the difference between retaining a driving license or not.
With such high stakes, you will need to hire the best DWI attorney if you ever face DWI charges. Here are some things to consider when looking for a good DWI lawyer.
Vast DWI Training and Experience
While it is possible to hire any attorney licensed to practice law for your case, you will be better off with an attorney who specializes in DWI cases. If they have years of experience dealing with DWI cases, then you should consider this an added advantage. Unlike a regular criminal attorney, a lawyer with a deep understanding of DWI laws representing you in court can significantly boost your chances of evading a DWI conviction.
Affordable Legal Fees
By default, most legal services aren’t cheap, and highly experienced lawyers typically charge above-average fees. If your financial status allows you to afford such fees, then consider hiring the best lawyer your money can afford.
However, do not rush if you are not financially endowed or do not feel comfortable splurging such money on legal fees. Take your time and do extensive research to find the best DWI lawyer willing to handle your case at an affordable fee. Generally, you should aim to find a lawyer who offers the right balance of affordability and expertise in handling DWI cases.
An Excellent Record of Accomplishments
Having an attorney with years of experience in the legal professional handling your case can be very relieving. However, you will still have to practice due diligence by finding out how they have performed in court throughout their career.
If you find a prospective lawyer with an impressive reputation for winning DWI cases, then consider yourself lucky. But, if your prospective lawyer hardly wins any DWI cases, then you should consider looking elsewhere.
Confidence
It is difficult to feel like your case is in the right hands with a DWI lawyer who does not seem confident at all. Having a DWI attorney who exudes confidence will greatly influence your peace of mind and tenacity throughout the case. Also, it would help if you avoided DWI attorneys who come across as overconfident in their abilities.
Stellar Communication Skills
Good DWI attorneys (and any other attorneys for that matter) require more than just extensive knowledge to succeed in the legal profession. They must also possess excellent communication skills. Since legal cases require presentation, a DWI lawyer with excellent communication skills will be capable of presenting and arguing your case clearly and understandably so that you can beat a DWI.
A Flawless Ethical Record
While you may be happy to have finally found the perfect DWI attorney, always perform a background check before trusting them with your case. An attorney with a record of malpractice or a history of sanctions by your state’s bar association could leave your DWI case hanging in the balance.
Unless you are lucky, the judge may not look kindly upon your DWI lawyer after discovering their shaky ethical record. Fortunately, you can look into their ethical record by checking the publicly available disciplinary record of attorneys. Visit your state bar’s website to get a better perspective of where a prospective attorney stands ethically.
Locally Available
Like other professions, you will likely find better-skilled lawyers outside your state or city. The benefit of trusting a local lawyer, however, is their familiarity with the court likely to hear your DWI case. If your prospective lawyer has been practicing for many years, then they will likely know the district attorneys and judges. Having a lawyer with a solid reputation among the district attorneys and judges can significantly swing the odds in your favor.