After you’ve been arrested for a DUI or DWI, you want to hire one of the best attorneys in Houston to help you fight the charges against you. But with so many different options to choose from, how do you know that you’re selecting the very best person to defend you and your case? While searching for your attorney, there are a number of signs along the way that will help you determine if the lawyer is going to fight for you and your rights or if they’re more concerned with getting a paycheck.
Online Reviews Matter
Thankfully, we have a great deal of information at our fingertips today. After a quick search online, you can find many different lawyers who claim they will fight the hardest for you. Looking at reviews from previous clients is one of the best ways to determine the best DWI attorneys in Houston for your particular case. If an attorney has many bad reviews or no reviews, it could be a good idea to keep searching for someone else. How that attorney or law firm treated those former clients, is most likely how they will treat you.
“I would highly recommend Andreea to anyone in need of an attorney for a DWI. She’ll keep you informed through the entire process, and let you know what to expect. Contact her and you will be pleasantly surprised at her professionalism and warm nature.” Anonymous
Make the Most of Your Introductory Meeting
Many lawyers offer a free consultation during which they will explain what to expect as you move through the sometimes confusing process of fighting the DWI. They should be able to answer questions that you have and put your mind at ease. Fighting a DUI or DWI charge can be overwhelming, which is why it’s important to have someone with you every step of the way.
During this crucial meeting, your prospective lawyer should also ask you many questions about your case. By inquiring about the officer’s stop and the events leading up to your arrest, the lawyer will be able to begin to piece together a potential strategy for your case. They should inquire about the conditions that day, details about your medical history, and the actions of the police officer, as answers to these questions could help your defense. Great DWI lawyers in Montgomery County know the potential areas of weakness in the prosecution’s case and will work to discredit their arguments along the way.
Beware of False Promises
Some lawyers, during their introductory meeting, will tell you many things that sound good to get you as a client that they might not be able to follow through on. One of the biggest red flags is anyone claiming the ability to get your case dismissed. While this may sound good, it is a promise of something that is actually outside of their control.
Skilled DWI lawyers will know how to spot inconsistencies in the State’s case against you and will work to get that piece of evidence thrown out. If the arresting officer didn’t follow the law, pulled you over illegally, or there was a mishandling of a breath or blood sample, your lawyer will work to get that evidence suppressed. If critical evidence is suppressed, it could be a severe blow to the prosecution’s case, which could then lead to a dismissal.
While a dismissal is the best possible outcome you and your lawyer will hope for, it is dependent upon decisions from the District Attorney’s office, not your lawyer—anyone who tells you otherwise is probably trying to sell you something.
Trust Your Gut
One of the most important questions to ask yourself while selecting the best lawyer in Houston for you and your case is, “Do I trust them?”
You will have to share a great deal of information with the lawyer you select, and they will depend on your complete honesty to best fight for your case. Do you trust them to go to bat for you? And do you believe that they will put your interests first and do the best they can to achieve the best outcome for you? If, after your first meeting with the potential lawyer, you aren’t sure that you can trust them, it’s best to keep looking. Your lawyer will spend months to years fighting for you and your rights, so this is a decision that should not be made lightly.
Selecting the best DUI Attorney in Houston requires time and research and, along the way, you might find yourself wondering if it might be better to fight the charges yourself instead of hiring a lawyer. DWIs and DUIs are both serious charges that can have consequences that follow you for many years to come. In addition to court fines and increased insurance rates, you could be subject to additional costs if you’re sentenced to probation. If convicted of a DWI, the charge will follow you on your criminal record and will need to be disclosed to any potential employer in the future.
There’s no reason to leave your fate to yourself or an inexperienced lawyer. Because a DWI charge can affect your life for years to come, it is best to hire a lawyer who is skilled in fighting these types of cases. A criminal defense lawyer isn’t enough for these cases because they are some of the most scientific cases to defend. Your lawyer will need to know the methodology behind the charges against you in order to fight the case properly. They will need to have a firm grasp on the protocols the police officers must follow; if they don’t understand these processes, they could miss out on a clear opportunity to defend you.
Andreea Ionescu is an attorney who has gained a reputation for fighting for her clients. After working in the Harris County District Attorney’s office for years, she now puts her knowledge to good use defending clients’ rights. She has defended hundreds of DWI cases and is able to quickly spot errors in the State’s case that can help gain a favorable result for her clients. Call 832-509-0222 to schedule your initial consultation with Andreea today.