There are many factors to consider after being charged with a DWI, but one of the most important decisions you can make is who you will hire as your attorney. There are many options to choose from when searching for a lawyer in Houston, but not all firms have been created equally. Thankfully, with a quick Google search, you will have hundreds of options at your fingertips and ample history and reviews to pour over. While it will take time to research your available options, thoroughness at this step can save you a great deal of heartache in the future.
Research Intentionally
Searching for ‘lawyers in Houston’ isn’t enough. You will want to find a lawyer who specializes in DWI cases in your county. DWI cases are technical and intricate and require proper protocols to be followed by all involved. If your attorney doesn’t specialize in defending DWI cases, they might not know what to look for and may end up missing important defense strategies. It’s not enough to search for a criminal attorney, but you want to find a well-known DWI attorney with years of experience and many pleased clients.
Take your time to read the reviews of past clients—how an attorney has treated their previous clients is how they will treat you. If they have many negative reviews online, no matter how great they say they are, it’s best to steer clear of them. You want to make sure that the attorney you pick will be able to deliver a positive result for you and your case, not empty promises that sound good in a blurb on a website.
Watch for Red Flags
One of the biggest red flags when meeting with an attorney is if they promise to get your case dismissed. Dismissals are possible in DWI cases, but they are a decision of the District Attorney’s office, not the defense attorney. Your lawyer will diligently review your case for any procedural mistakes and build your defense accordingly. If crucial pieces of evidence were mishandled and your attorney is able to get those suppressed, the prosecution may end up needing to dismiss the case entirely. While your lawyer will early pursue to get your case dismissed, lofty promises are generally a sign that they care more about getting paid than defending your case.
An experienced DWI attorney in Houstonwill know the ins and outs of the Harris County District Attorney’s office and will be able to refute the prosecution’s case against you. An expert lawyer will take the time to understand the details of your case so they can begin building an appropriate defense for you.
Each case is different, so each defense will be different based on your history, criminal record, and the county in which the DWI took place. Your attorney will begin examining every piece of evidence the prosecution has against you to spot any inconsistencies or irregularities.
Understand the Process
Your attorney will likely start with the traffic stop and determine if the police officer had probable cause to pull you over, as is required by law in the state of Texas. If the police officer did not witness a traffic violation or have a concern for your safety, they had no right to pull you over, even if the stop resulted in a DWI citation. If the initial stop was unlawful, that can be a significant blow to the prosecution’s case and can go a long way in getting a favorable result for you.
The attorney you hire will also look into the officer’s DWI investigation. If they handled your case improperly, this could provide an opportunity for your lawyer to challenge the State’s case against you. If you took a field sobriety test in the field (standing on one leg, walking heel-toe, etc.), your attorney may question the conclusions drawn from these tests. There are many medical explanations for failing these tests that police officers might not take into consideration at the time of the arrest. Instead, they will use the results as a reason to continue building their case against you.
If a breath or blood sample was taken, your attorney may question the validity of that collection. If your consent was not given or not given voluntarily, that can be something you can use for your defense. If you did not consent to providing a breath or blood sample and a warrant was obtained, your lawyer will examine if the warrant was completed and executed correctly. Your lawyer will likely also look into the lab that handled your blood sample to ensure that your rights were not violated as the prosecution built their case against you.
Fight for Your Rights
Even if you were arrested for a DWI or this is your second or third DWI, there is still hope for your case. Just because you have been charged does not mean that you will be convicted. Having a lawyer experienced in defending DWI cases is essential to getting the best result from your case. Going it alone or choosing an inexperienced lawyer can have long-lasting ramifications. If your lawyer isn’t accustomed to defending DWI cases, you could end up spending time in jail, increased fines, and a criminal charge that will show up on a background check. Your rights are important, so it is best to hire someone who cares about you and will fight for your case.
“Hiring Andreaa was one of the best decisions I have ever made… When my case went to trial, she truly demonstrated how professional and prepared she was. She was on top of every detail and so determined that even I know she impressed every person in that courtroom, prosecutor and judge included.” Alyssa
Many DWI attorneys in Harris County are accustomed to challenging DWIs, but few have the experience that Andreea Ionescu has. As a former prosecutor, she has tried thousands of cases and is well-versed in the Harris County District Attorney’s methodology for handling these complex cases. Not only is she incredibly knowledgeable, but she is passionate about educating clients about their rights and helping them understand the DWI process. She makes herself available to answer questions because she cares about every case she takes. Andreea offers a free consultation where she will review your case and the path that lies ahead of you as you fight the charges against you. You don’t need to fight this charge on your own.
Call 832-509-0222 today to schedule your meeting with Andreea today.