6 Mistakes to Avoid if Facing DWI Charges

Avoid These 6 Mistakes if Facing DWI Charges

DWI charges can be severe and complex. They can bring harsh penalties for anybody facing such charges, and particularly so if an individual is found guilty. Being charged with a DWI causes a lot of issues, starting with criminal charging but also loss of license penalties and more, meaning they can be frustrating cases which affect many parts of your life. Because of this, it’s important to know your rights and understand how these cases work so that you can avoid unforeseen complications.

Check out blunders to avoid when facing a DWI case:

1. Not Hiring an Attorney to Represent You

DWI cases can be very complicated, and it’s important to have a professional there to argue on your behalf. There are various arguments you can make which fundamentally alter the case, and can lower penalties or even cause cases to be dismissed completely. Having an attorney fighting in your corner can make these things easier to find and argue about, helping make your case much more manageable. Somebody who is knowledgeable about DWIs and various civil consequences of them can also help sort out your drivers’ license and get you back on the road more quickly. An attorney will help review the evidence in your case and explain the various legal options you might have for your specific facts.

2. Waiting Too Long to Hire an Attorney

Hiring an attorney to represent you early in your case can pay dividends. By having an attorney working with you at the beginning of a case, you can change or eliminate conditions of release that may otherwise be imposed by the court. Your lawyer can also examine the facts of the evidence and attempt to find facts beneficial to your case, options which may be more difficult or impossible should you wait too long. Memories fade and sometimes valuable information is only available for a short time, so having an attorney working with you to get the story straight early on may be your best or only chance at the best result on your case.

3. Driving After Your Drivers’ License Has Been Suspended or Revoked

Every DWI charge in Minnesota carries drivers’ license penalties with it. Continuing to drive while your license is withdrawn can result in additional charges and longer-term losses of license. The additional infraction may also cause complications with your pending DWI case. Having a lawyer who understands how your different rights are infringed during a DWI can be tantamount in avoiding any additional penalties and getting you back on the road as soon as possible.

4. Not Appearing in Court

Some people will fail to appear in court for their DWI charges, either because they forgot about a court date or because they don’t believe there will be repercussions for it. However, failing to appear will very likely prompt the Court to issue a warrant and revoke any bail or bond that has been paid on the case. If a warrant is issued because you failed to appear in court, you may be arrested if you are stopped for minor traffic infraction later, or the police could even come to your door in order to bring you in for your charges. If this happens, you’ll spend more time in jail and likely be asked to post bond to be released pending a future court date. Along with assisting in your case, a lawyer will help you schedule hearings and remind you when court is upcoming, reducing or eliminating the risk of such negative consequences.

5. Failing to Understand your Rights

It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to take full advantage of your Constitutional rights unless you have the right attorney helping you with your case. Managing the case on your own, or with an attorney who is unfamiliar with Minnesota’s DWI laws, can cause you to unknowingly hurt yourself or miss out on a big opportunity to reduce or eliminate charges against you. There may be issues with the stop of your vehicle or your arrest that were unconstitutional. Along with identifying and challenging these issues, an attorney can help you determine whether there were issues with chemical testing related to your test. Any one of these issues could lead to a significantly better outcome in your case and is worth exploring.

6. Trusting Advice From a Non-Attorney

Discussing a pending case with friends or loved ones can be comforting, but it’s important to remember that every DWI has its own facts and circumstances. Many of my clients have compared their case to something they heard from a friend or family member, but ultimately the cases have been very different. There is a large number of differences that can arise in even a simple fact pattern which make the outcome of the case much more lenient or severe. Even the attorney you hire for a case can make a tremendous difference. It is important to get advice from somebody who is trained in and has experience with the law so that you have realistic expectations for the result given your particular circumstances.

Final Thoughts

There are various things to avoid after being arrested for a DWI case. Consider the above tips to guide you on what to do and what to avoid. Also, consult with and consider hiring a DWI attorney immediately. They will ensure that you get fair treatment throughout your case. It’s important that you know your rights and options as these decisions can have a big effect on the outcome of your case.