The Importance of Hiring a DWI Lawyer

A charge of driving whilst intoxicated or DWI is taken very seriously these days and can carry severe penalties if convicted. For this reason alone you need to hire an experienced DWI lawyer to represent you as soon as possible. The consequences of simply being charged with DWI can be far reaching, whilst a conviction can have long lasting implications not just on your personal life but also on your finances.

If you are charged with DWI then you will probably have your driving license suspended immediately, getting it back, even if acquitted will not be easy either. You may also face social stigma from family and friends and the wider social community. If you are convicted then you may face penalties ranging from fines to mandatory jail terms and the possibility of your case being elevated to a felony if you caused serious injury or even death. By hiring a good DWI lawyer you will receive expert advice on how best to defend your case, the legal process and the likely outcome of the court hearing.

Your lawyer will look at the evidence against you and try to determine if this evidence was properly obtained at the time of your arrest. Cases of DWI rely on technical medical and scientific tests being carried out, which have to be carried out with the correct equipment, by qualified personnel and under strict procedures. If it can be proved that they were not then the evidence can be deemed as inadmissible and not used in court. Your lawyer may also look at the testimony of the arresting officer, and ask: did they have due cause to stop you? Did they follow the correct procedures when it came to the field sobriety tests and is there an alternative explanation for their observations?

The blood alcohol test determines the level of alcohol in your blood stream at the time of arrest. In all states the minimum level is 0.08%, however you can still be charged with DWI if your levels are below this, particularly if minors were present in your vehicle at the time. Those with levels well in excess of 0.08% can face much harsher penalties, and in particular if they have previous convictions. Anyone with previous convictions for DWI, regardless of which state they were convicted in can face increasingly severe penalties for each subsequent offense and could even have their case elevated to a felony if they continue to offend.

You need to hire a qualified DWI lawyer who specializes only in these type of cases. Whilst many lawyers will happily take your case one, they often lack the experience and expertise to deal with the complex evidence and often advise you plead guilty instead. Only an experienced DWI lawyer will work to defend you with your best interests in mind.