Getting charged with a DWI in Fairfax is scary business, and not just because of the prospect of a night of fun having consequences for the rest of your life. If it’s your first encounter with the legal system, you have hundreds of questions. You won’t know what’s going on, who to talk to, or what happens next. If this is your second or third offense, you’ll know more of what’s going on, but will likely have questions about the implications of your previous charges.
Either way, it’s best to seek the counsel of an experienced DWI attorney. But how do you know who to hire? We’ve put together some tips.
-
Seek experience. You don’t want an attorney who handles probate law. You want a criminal lawyer with extensive experience in DWI cases. You want an attorney who knows the judge you’ll be facing, who has gone toe-to-toe with the prosecutor, who is familiar with the arresting officer. The judicial system can be faceless and impersonal, but a lawyer who knows the people he or she is working with can make a substantial difference.
-
Ask for referrals. Yellow pages ads don’t tell you how respected a given lawyer is in their field. Ask people who have had DWI charges, or who know someone who has. It may be embarrassing, but your future may be riding on it.
-
Schedule consultations with several lawyers before hiring any of them. You will want to feel that the one you choose is competent and capable, and the best way to know that is to compare a few.
-
Ask about total lawyer’s fees. There are a wide variety of pay structures, and getting clear on what the total cost will be is the key to comparing them. Keep in mind, however, that if you are convicted there will also be fines and out of pocket expenses that will not be included in these quotes.
The important thing to do is to be proactive. Your future is on the line. Ignoring the issue won’t make it go away. No matter how tedious or embarrassing, it’s better to have the help of an experienced DWI attorney than to go at it alone.
At the Faraji Rosenthall Law Offices, we have many years of experience on both sides of the judicial system. If you’ve been charged with DWI in the Fairfax, VA area, call us for a free consultation to discuss your case.
