A DWI conviction will change everything in your life. A first-time conviction can carry penalties of up to $500 and a potential jail sentence. A conviction also means that your car insurance rates will increase dramatically, and you may be required to carry SR-22 insurance for several years at an additional cost.
A DWI conviction can interfere with your work, cause you to be overlooked for a promotion, or even prevent you from being hired for certain positions. All of these issues can make everyday life very challenging
Contact Missouri DWI & Criminal Law Center at the Benjamin Law Firm, LLC to learn your options.
Self Representing at a DWI Charge
Many people believe that when they have been charged with a DWI, they have no other option than to appear in court alone and plead guilty. Some believe that they can show up and self-represent and plead not guilty and that the court will listen to their explanation.
While it is true that you have the right to self-represent, the court will expect you to comply with all court rules and regulations. You will be required to act as an attorney in court and understand how the system works. If you cannot, the judge will most likely require you to seek legal representation or change your plea.
Your best choice is to have legal representation from the start so that you get the best possible outcome for your case.
How an Experienced DWI Attorney Can Help
The most important thing to understand is that when you have been arrested for DWI, it only means that you have been charged with this offense. You have not been convicted — instead, you will have to go to court and defend yourself.
Having a DWI attorney manage your case will be very beneficial. An experienced attorney knows what to look for to see if the arrest was valid or if the testing that took place is in compliance with all required standards.
Your attorney can examine the evidence around the arrest and build a successful case on your behalf. Your attorney knows the laws and regulations surrounding DWI cases and can use that knowledge and experience to your benefit.
Aspects Your DWI Attorney Will Assess
Your criminal defense attorney will look at the following items while building your case:
- Probable cause for the traffic stop
- Accuracy of the arrest paperwork
- Breathalyzer machine repair and maintenance records and verify the last time it was calibrated
- The experience and knowledge of the person administering the sobriety test
- Chain of command of the test results
- Medical conditions of the accused such as GERD or similar conditions
- Whether the accused had dental work on the day of the arrest
All of this information will allow your attorney to build a solid case. Additionally, your attorney will access other relevant information to help support your not guilty plea.
Why Have a DWI Attorney Represent Your Case?
One of the most important reasons to have an attorney represent your case is the potential for a conviction. If you can’t avoid a conviction for this charge, your attorney can plead on your behalf to lower the charges or lessen the penalties. Contact a Kansas City DWI lawyers in KC Mo for advice today.
