If you live in Denton and a DWI attorney becomes necessary, here are some things you should think about before choosing a lawyer to represent you.
First off, we all know that driving a motor vehicle requires us to pay the utmost attention to not only what we are doing, but also to what others are doing around us.
We can sometimes take our driving environment for granted, forgetting that everyone out on the road must work together in order to safely navigate from point A to point B.
This being the case, people sometimes have lapses in judgment and choose to drive while intoxicated — DWIs are very serious offenses that can have lasting consequences for all parties involved.
DWI attorneys, in Denton and in the rest of the state of Texas, understand that a single DWI is not an accurate representation of a person’s life, that sometimes mistakes are made by otherwise-honest people.
For this reason, it’s imperative to seek assistance from a DWI lawyer when facing DWI charges to ensure that this very serious offense does not forever tarnish your reputation and your life.
What Is a DWI?
In the state of Texas, DWI (driving while intoxicated) refers to people operating motor vehicles while their physical and/or mental capacities are inhibited due to the consumption of any controlled substance, including alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two.
DWI can also refer to a situation where a person drives a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or higher.
If you ever have a lapse in judgment, drive while intoxicated, and find yourself facing DWI charges, it is in your best interest to seek counsel or representation from a knowledgeable DWI attorney. In Denton, there are more than a few DWI attorneys available to you, but we like to believe that our attorneys are among the best.
At the same time, it’s important to note that even with the aid of a DWI attorney, people facing DWI charges also face heavy fines, surcharges, community service, probation, and even jail time.
What Does A DWI Attorney Do?
If you are arrested for driving while intoxicated, it is wise to seek out a reputable DWI attorney sooner rather than later as he or she could significantly alter the outcome of your case.
Though the courts are tough in Denton, a DWI attorney’s duty is to work on your behalf to prove innocence and use all available means to lessen consequences.
A DWI attorney understands the law, understands what you’re going through, and asks the right questions in order to learn how best to defend you.
Here are just a few of those questions:
- Was there reasonable suspicion to pull the driver over?
- Was there probable cause for the arrest?
- Did the driver consent to the blood draw?
- If so, was he or she misled or coerced?
- Did the officer read the DIC-24 correctly?
- Did the officer give any “explanations” to the driver?
- Was there a warrant for the blood draw?
- If so, is there a basis for having it suppressed?
- Was the blood draw carried out correctly?
- Can they prove-up the chain of custody?
- Did the officer get all the facts for retrograde extrapolation?
- Can they “wheel” the driver?
- Does the driver have an occupational drivers license?
- If not, he or she will need a lawyer for that
It is never a wise choice for defendants in a DWI case to represent themselves in a court of law.
Our DWI lawyers know the ins and outs of criminal law pertaining to driving while intoxicated and can always get a better plea bargain agreement than a pro-se defendant can get on his or her own.
What You Should Ask A Prospective DWI Attorney
If you live in a college town like Denton, DWI attorneys aren’t in short supply — finding the right one is the challenge.
You should ask him or her specific questions to make sure you hire the right lawyer for your case. Here are just a few of those questions:
- How long have you practiced criminal law?
- About how many DWI clients do you represent on a yearly basis?
- What are the possible outcomes you foresee regarding my case?
- Will you be solely handling my DWI case, or will you work with a team?
- If working with a team, what are the members’ qualifications?
- How will you keep me updated about my case’s progression?
This is not a comprehensive list of questions to ask a prospective DWI attorney.
We’re Located Right Here in Denton — The DWI Attorneys at HBWV Law Are Ready to Help
If you ever find yourself facing DWI charges, the law firm of Hayes, Berry, White & Vanzant is here to help. Request the services of one of our DWI attorneys at (940) 387-3518, or fill out our contact form here.
