Dwi questions and answers

A charge of driving whilst intoxicated or DWI is very serious and you are well advised to seek the aid of a qualified DWI lawyer to help defend your case. But for many the cost of hiring a private lawyer is more than they can afford. There are options available for those without the means to hire a lawyer themselves when it comes to defending DWI charges.

Being convicted of DWI can have far reaching consequences and these can last for many years. For these reasons representing yourself, although an option you are free to take, is not advised as few have succeeded when taking this route. Hiring a DWI lawyer by whatever means is your best chance of obtaining either a full acquittal or a lesser penalty, particularly if you have previous convictions for DWI offenses.

If you can prove that you cannot afford a private lawyer then you have the right to a court-appointed lawyer. You can request one at your pre-trial hearing and in most circumstances the judge will appoint someone there and then (if available). In some states you maybe required to submit detailed financial statements to prove you cannot afford a private lawyer. It is worth noting by the way, that private lawyers have only marginally higher success rates than court appointed lawyers do. Continue reading “What to do if you cannot afford a dwi lawyer” »

The Minneapolis Star Tribune has reported that Minnesota has the third-worst drunk driving rate in the nation. In 2006, nearly 42,000 Minnesota motorists were arrested for Driving While Impaired (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

The DWI/DUI charge is very serious and has seen increased law enforcement emphasis around the country. Governments have run extensive media campaigns attempting to scare citizens about the dangers of DWIs and DUIs. It has also helped governments justify increased expenditures on prosecution of this crime. As governments struggle to find new revenue sources, they have turned to DWIs as a cash cow. They raise revenue, increase public safety and keep people tied to the legal system.

There are many penalties that may result from DWIs. Some are directly implemented by the government; including fines, vehicle restrictions and jail time. Others are a result of criminal conviction, such as, employment and insurance problems. Continue reading “Dwi and dui lawyers” »