Caught While Intoxicated? Your Guide on Finding a Woodlands DWI Lawyer

According to statistics, drunk-driving claims the lives of over 10,000 Americans every year.

While not all DWI cases are fatal, being caught driving while intoxicated is a serious offense and can remain on your record for up to 10-years.

Finding a hands-on and knowledgeable Woodlands DWI lawyer in Texas is key. Here’s how to find the best in the business…

Simple Steps on How to Find the Best Woodlands DWI Lawyer

It’s important to remember that the criminal justice system works a lot faster than civil court. This means you’ll need to move quickly to find the best DWI lawyer if you’re caught driving under the influence.

In short, the best way to find the right lawyer to handle your case is to ask the right questions, first.

Step One: Schedule a Meeting

It’s vital that you meet your attorney face-to-face to discuss your options. Many attorneys are willing to do so before they take on your case. From here, you should:

• Take the time to learn about the attorney’s background and experience
• Discuss your case, your options, and possible strategies
• Get a feel for the type of attorney they are — do you feel comfortable with them representing you?

These are three simple goals to keep in mind for your first meeting. Before you attend the first meeting, make sure you’re prepared. Take all court documentation, bail papers, police reports, and any other paperwork or inventory with you.

To bolster your case, create a list of names of all the people connected to your DWI case. This includes friends, family, and witnesses. Your attorney will cross-reference these names to ensure they have not represented anyone tied to your case before.

Step Two: Ask About Their Background and Experience

Upon your first meeting with a DWI attorney, take the time to understand their background and experience in this field of law. While there is a myriad of high-quality criminal and defense lawyers out there, you need one that focuses on DWI cases.

Don’t be afraid to ask them where they attended law school, when they graduated, and which bar associations they belong to. Inquire how long they have been practicing law and specializing in DWI cases.

It’s perfectly acceptable to ask how many DWI cases they represent a year, and what their success rate is like. This way, you can gather an understanding of their caseload percentage as an attorney, and their level of experience.

If you’re worried about appearing in court or going to trial, feel free to ask them about this process. If you’re willing to negotiate a plea agreement, inquire about this process, too.

Ultimately, it’s to your own advantage to hire an attorney who is familiar with attorneys in the prosecutor’s office. This means they have a good reputation and will be able to negotiate better terms for you.

Step Three: Listen Carefully to the Assessment of Your Case

At the end of the day, you want an attorney who is going to level with you. Ideally, they should be open, honest, and fair about the legal implications that could face you after a DWI arrest.

In order for this fair assessment, an attorney must fully understand the charges and evidence against you. Listen carefully to the questions they ask you, and try to answer them as honestly and directly as possible.

If you’re looking for suggestions on how to handle this case against you, it’s wise to ask an attorney the following:

• Is a guilty plea recommended — what are my chances of a plea agreement if the case goes to trial?
• Are there any factors that work in my favor?
• What are the factors that work against my case?

To get a better idea of the entire process, ask about what to expect at different stages i.e. the arraignment, filing of motions, hearing, disposition, and trial.

Step Four: Ask About How Your Case Will Be Managed

In order to get a clear idea of the logistics and behind-the-scenes aspects of your case, make sure to ask about case management. Some of the most critical questions you should ask include:

• What is your availability like — will you be able to represent me?
• Do you work with anyone else on the case and will I be able to meet them?
• If the case goes to trial, will you or someone else represent me in court?
• Who do I contact with all my questions and what is the turn-around time on answers?

Finally, don’t forget to ask about how often you’ll receive updates on the progress of your case. What will the updates include and what amount of detail can you expect?

Step Five: Inquire About Legal Fees

Lastly, the cost of hiring an attorney is always a major consideration. Not only is a DWI arrest expensive, but so is the hiring of legal representation.

Some costs and consequences to consider after being arrested for a DWI could include:

• The loss of your driver’s license
• Increased insurance premiums
• A DWI fine
• DWI school
• Possible jail time

When it comes to attorney’s fees, you’ll either pay an hourly rate or a flat fee. However, these fees don’t always cover everything. So it’s important to be 100% clear on what you’re paying for.

Ask the attorney what’s included in their rate and what is not. What type of additional expenses can you expect to pay and a rough estimate of these expenses?

Don’t forget about accepted forms of payment and any other payment options on offer.

Looking For a DWI Attorney in Woodlands, Texas?

At Non Stop Justice, Andrea M. Kolski offers 17-years of experience in criminal defense and family law. If you’re looking for a Woodlands DWI lawyer, Andrea is on your side.

Learn more about Andrea, her education and areas of expertise, here.