It can be easy to find a DWI lawyer in Harris County, but how do you recognize if your lawyer is the best in the area? Through diligent research before selecting a lawyer to represent you, you can tell how they have defended others in the past. Based on reviews from previous clients, you can determine how hard a lawyer will fight for you and your rights.
Many lawyers, such as Andreea Ionescu, offer free consultations for potential clients where they will describe the DWI process and help you know what to expect. During these introductory meetings, it’s important to ask yourself if you trust the lawyer that you’re meeting with—if you feel you can’t be entirely truthful with your lawyer, then it is best to continue your search. If they don’t ask questions about your case or if they are unwilling to explain what you can expect throughout the process, it’s best to keep researching.
Andrea Ionescu is one of the top DUI lawyers in Harris County and is ready to meet with you about the charges you’re facing. Call 832-509-0222 today for a free consultation with Andreea to review your case.
Once you select your lawyer to represent you, they will begin looking into the prosecution’s evidence. Knowledgeable attorneys who are experienced in defending DWI cases will be able to quickly point out any areas where they can call the evidence into question.
Why were you pulled over?
Texas law states that an officer has to have a reason to pull someone over, such as a traffic violation or a concern for your health. If the defense is able to prove that the officer didn’t have probable cause to pull you over, it can be detrimental to the prosecution’s case. When you are stopped, you are well within your rights to ask the officer why they pulled you over. By asking the police officer the reason for the traffic stop, you can provide another avenue of defense to your attorney.
How was the DWI Investigation conducted?
During the course of a routine traffic stop, an officer can come to suspect that you have been drinking and driving. If that is the case, they will launch a DWI investigation. This can include a series of standard field sobriety tests, a breathalyzer test, and the collection of a blood sample. There are many moments of a DWI investigation that can be questioned by a skilled attorney with years of experience in the field. The best DWI attorneys will know when a piece of evidence is out of place and how to use that to benefit their clients.
What causes a license to be suspended? And what steps need to be taken?
If you refuse to comply with the officer’s request for a breath or blood sample, if it’s your second DWI, or if you are arrested for DWI, your license will automatically be suspended. If the tests reveal that your blood alcohol content was .08 or greater, DPS will mail you a notice of suspension. If this has happened to you, there are a series of steps that must be taken in order to get your license back. A suspension of your license is something that you can fight with the help of an experienced attorney.
If your license has been suspended, you will need to move quickly in order to get your license back. From the date you received the notice of suspension (most likely the time of the arrest), you have 15 days to contact DPS online, or by phone, fax, or mail to request an ALR (Administrative License Revocation) hearing. If you fail to contact DPS or don’t contact them within the allotted time period, your license will be suspended 40 days after you received the suspension notice. If your license has been suspended or may be suspended, it is vital that DPS has your correct address; otherwise, you may miss important communication regarding your case.
What can be expected during an ALR hearing?
DPS will mail you a notice providing the date, time, and location of your hearing, which can take up to 120 days to receive. Your lawyer can defend you at the ALR hearing, and any work they do in preparation will likely be used as part of your defense strategy. Your ability to drive is incredibly important and having a skilled lawyer arguing for you can improve the likelihood of keeping this valuable privilege.
During the hearing, the police officer must prove that the traffic stop they performed was warranted. They also must prove they had cause to arrest you for DWI and that you either refused or failed chemical testing. If they accuse you of failing the test, they have to prove a blood or breath alcohol content of .08 or more. If the State is able to prove their case, then your license will be suspended. If they are unable to prove their case against you satisfactorily, then your license will not be suspended.
If your license has been suspended as a result of an ALR hearing, know that this decision can be appealed. Like the scheduling of the ALR hearing, there are strict filing deadlines that must be followed for a judge to hear your case. If you miss any of these deadlines or do not provide the necessary information completely, your appeal will be denied. An ALR appeal is an area in which an experienced DWI attorney can be invaluable.
“The best attorney you could ever hope to have in your corner! Andreaa fought tooth and nail for me from start to finish. She truly cares for her clients and genuinely takes the time to examine every aspect of a case before proceeding.” Alyssa
If you have been charged with a DWI, your best course of action is to find an attorney in Harris County who is skilled in defending these intricate cases. Andreea Ionescu is one of the best DWI attorneys in Houston TX who takes the time to get to know each one of her clients, answer their questions, and do all she can to ease their concerns. In addition to the empathy needed to connect with clients, she has years of experience that she will use to defend your case. She fights hard for the rights of everyone she represents and wants to use that for your benefit. If you have been charged with a DWI, call Andreea today at 832-509-0222 to schedule your free consultation.