Being arrested for a DWI is one of the most serious things that will happen to you. Minnesota law is clear about the consequences of being convicted of a DWI offense. You can lose your driver’s license, pay hefty fines and even end up in jail. The DWI conviction system is graduated and means that the more times you are convicted of DWI the more severe the legal consequences. The importance of finding a good Minnesota DWI attorney to represent you is self-evident.
An attorney can help you in several ways.
The first is that a good DWI attorney specializes in DWI defense and knows effective courtroom strategies and legitimate defenses to the charge. Going into a courtroom without an attorney is a huge mistake. Case law has developed around DWI law that the average person is completely unaware of and the help you might have had from an attorney is forfeited. As your attorney goes through the facts of the case with you he will be able to advise you of the best course of action in light of current case law and successful defenses.
Another reason to use the services of a good DWI attorney is that you will be prosecuted in a legal environment that is difficult for the layman to understand. Attorneys spend years in college studying law before being eligible to practice. The language of the law is not the same outside of the courtroom doors as it is within them. Words used in the context of court proceedings have meanings that are entirely different from what the same word means in everyday life. You need to be represented by an attorney who can effectively navigate the complicated legal landscape with your best interests in mind.
A good DWI attorney will ensure that your rights are not violated. A DWI case can result in a not guilty verdict if police officers violated your rights in any way. If a judge violates your rights during trial your conviction can later be overturned on appeal. Your attorney understands these fundamentals and knows how to use them to your advantage.
Representing you in plea negotiations with the prosecutor is another benefit of hiring an attorney. If the case against you is a good one your attorney can broker a deal that will be the best possible outcome for your case. Avoiding the penalties for multiple convictions might be possible in a successful plea negotiation.
The trial is where your attorney will do his best work on your behalf. There are many ways that a DWI can be defended against but it requires following the prescribed courtroom procedures, making objections when necessary, entering favorable evidence and witness testimony into the record, and crafting logical reasons why the judge should find that there is not enough evidence to convict you.
When you’re charged with DWI it’s always best to hire a good DWI attorney.