Driving while intoxicated [DWI] is a serious offense that can land you into many problems. Not only can you lose your driving license or receive a longer jail term, but your reputation is also on the line. This is why you need guidance from someone who is more knowledgeable and experienced in DWI cases. This is where a DWI lawyer comes in.
A DWI lawyer has adequate knowledge, skills, and experience that can help them handle your case. Their assistance can help you get back your license or get a reduced sentence. These professionals can also protect your rights.
However, while it is much easier to bump into a DWI lawyer, hiring the right one can be challenging. That’s because most of those lawyers you see on billboards or newspaper ads may not deliver what they are promising. So it is up to you to do your research to find the right DWI lawyer. This article discusses some of the top things you need to look for when hiring a DWI lawyer from dwilawyerstexas.com. Let’s explore them.
1. Qualifications
One of the top things you need to look for in a DWI lawyer when hiring one is qualification. Of course, you want a DWI lawyer who is very qualified to represent your DWI case. A DWI lawyer must attend a law school, complete their bar exam and pass it, and be licensed by the government to offer their legal services. A reliable and trustworthy DWI lawyer needs to display their qualifications on their websites. They should readily provide you with them if they are not on their website.
2. Specialization
There are several branches of law. DWI law is just one of them. If you are looking for the best outcome for your DWI case, you need to hire a lawyer that specializes in DWI cases. Such a lawyer has a better understanding of DWI laws. It is worth mentioning that DWI laws can be very complex, and navigating them requires extensive experience, knowledge, and skills.
3. Experience
Another essential thing you must look for in a DWI lawyer is experience. The experience level of the lawyer can play a huge impact on your case. A highly experienced DWI lawyer knows how to navigate your defense and will protect your rights. The lawyer will try all ways possible to make sure that you are not convicted, or you don’t lose your driving license. If you want to determine the experience level of the lawyer, you need to ask them these questions:
- How long have they been practicing DWI lawyer?
- How many DWI cases have they handled in the past?
- Have they handled cases similar to yours?
- How many DWI cases have they won?
A DWI lawyer that has been practicing DWI law for several years is more experienced than a relatively new lawyer in the field. And if the lawyer has won many cases over the years they have been practicing DWI laws, then that’s a perfect lawyer you cannot let go of.
4. Reputation
Reputation is also another thing worth paying attention to when hiring a DWI lawyer. It is advisable to hire a DWI lawyer with a solid track record. Find out if the lawyer you intend to hire has been involved in any malpractice. If indeed he or she has been involved in malpractice, you need to evaluate their answer and see if you are comfortable working with the lawyer. However, remember that hiring a DWI lawyer with a history of serious malpractice or has been summoned by the state bar can make your case hang in the balance. Besides, certain judges are usually not too kind to lawyers with soiled ethical records.
Another perfect way to gauge the lawyer’s reputation is by reading online reviews. Through the reviews, you can learn what other people are saying about your preferred DWI lawyer as well as their customer service. A good DWI known for excellent services is likely to have more positive reviews. If you find that the lawyer has more negative reviews, there could be a reason for that. The best thing you can do is to look for another lawyer who is well-known for greater customer service.
5. Referrals
Generally, a reliable and trustworthy lawyer needs to provide their clients with their referrals’ contacts. It is a good idea to speak to at least three different people who have worked with your preferred DWI lawyer in the past. Once you have their contacts, you can call them and ask them how their experience was working with that particular DWI lawyer. Ask them if they have any complaints, if they were satisfied with the lawyer’s services, and whether or not they can refer them to other people. Of course, talking to someone who has worked with your preferred lawyer can help you make a more informed decision.
6. Great communication skills
A good DWI lawyer must possess excellent communication skills. The lawyer should be a great communicator, both written and oral. Any legal case requires great presentation, a lawyer that possesses great communication skills can present and argue your DWI case in a clearer way. Besides, as already mentioned, DWI law can be quite complex, so you need a lawyer who can explain the charges in a simple way to make you understand them better.
7. Legal fees
Finally, legal fees are another thing that you must look for when hiring a DWI lawyer. The legal fees matter, especially if you want to hire a highly experienced and reputed DWI lawyer. Of course, if your budget allows it, you can hire such a lawyer. But if your budget is fixed, you need to look for a DWI lawyer who can handle your case at a lower fee. It is always advisable to hire a lawyer that you can afford; otherwise, you may end up in unnecessary debt. Fortunately, there are also highly experienced and knowledgeable DWI lawyers that charge reasonable legal fees.
