If you or a loved one is facing a DWI or an alcohol-related driving offense, a thousand questions are probably running through your mind. This article is designed to guide you to ask important questions. Starting down the path to success with your DWI early on can be essential to properly defend your case and avoid additional hardship.
Time Is of the Essence!
If you submitted to a test that indicated your alcohol level was .08 or greater, you only have 30 days to file a petition to keep the DWI off your driving record. For all intents and purposes, you are guilty until proven innocent when it comes to your driving record. You do not get a court date for your license unless you demand one.
An implied consent challenge is often the term used for the civil side of a DWI. This aspect of a DWI should not be overlooked. If you fail to challenge the implied consent, there could be serious consequences, such as the loss of driving privileges and notations on your record.
Punishment Can Vary
Every city and every county in the state has a different prosecutor. Additionally, the sentences different judges across the state impose can vary. Because of these differences, the same DWI offense in one city can have drastically different consequences than in another. Minnesota law gives maximum possible punishments for a DWI conviction, but usually, the actual sentence is far less than the maximum.
Everyone has heard of “the guy” who got everything dismissed on his own. This probably has happened once or twice, but without a lawyer, this is an unlikely scenario. Having a Minnesota DWI lawyer at your side to advise about whether an offer is fair or not can be invaluable. At the end of the day, you want to be confident you didn’t get more than what you expected to come your way.
The State Must Prove You Guilty
We have all heard it before; you are “innocent until proven guilty.” But the real standard is that you are “innocent unless proven guilty.” Whether you are actually guilty is irrelevant if the state cannot prove it. Having a Minnesota DWI lawyer who can help prevent evidence from being introduced can mean the difference between a conviction and a dismissal. If the police don’t follow proper procedures, oftentimes a case will be completely thrown out.
Things to Know About Choosing A Minnesota DWI Attorney
Don’t just trust the ads; take the time to actually speak with a potential attorney. It may be one of the most important interviews you have ever conducted. After all, it’s your case and your life. Here are three questions you should be asking a potential attorney.
What Are Your Credentials?
This means so much more than a diploma on the wall. Does the attorney focus on your area of need? Has he or she taken on similar cases before?
What is your style?
Does the attorney make a goal of reaching a settlement, or will he or she take an aggressive, fight-to-the-end approach?
What can I expect?
How should you expect to stay in contact with one another throughout the process? How often do you need to meet? As a client, will you work with the attorney you’re interviewing, or might you end up working with other members of his or her practice?
Attorneys are as varied as the clients they serve. You’re an individual, and you deserve to work with someone who will fit your needs and help you maximize the possibility of a positive outcome. That means an attorney shouldn’t be the only one asking questions. Contact Sieben Edmunds Miller’s criminal defense DWI attorneys in Minnesota to explore your options.
