Sometimes being frugal isn’t the right way to go – especially when your livelihood is at stake. If you’re facing DWI charges, opting to represent yourself in court because you think it’ll cut costs won’t work. Any money you may save in lawyer’s fees will almost certainly be matched, maybe even doubled, by the fines and costs associated with your conviction and probation. Even if you’re enlisting the help of a public defender, you’re still depriving yourself of the well-rounded proficiency that only an attorney can provide. Without skilled, experienced representation in your corner, a guilty verdict is practically inevitable.
Why Self Representation is a Mistake
Whether through your own guilty plea or a decision handed down by judge or jury, self-representation in a DWI case practically guarantees your conviction. There are several reasons for this.
- Education: When it comes to something as complex as criminal defense, raw intelligence and thorough research simply aren’t enough. Understanding the intricacies of the American legal system requires years of focused and constantly expanding education – something you simply don’t have the time to do on your own.
- Familiarity: Most seasoned attorneys will be extremely familiar with the prosecutors, judges, and even the officers involved in your case. While the law isn’t exactly flexible, knowing who you’re dealing with and what they will and won’t respond to is critical to courtroom success.
- Time: As hard as you can work for your own case, a team of dedicated professionals is able to work just that much harder. Attorneys who understand the system inside and out have access to more knowledge and resources, which not only makes your case more compelling, it also streamlines the process since they know where to go for research.
- Experience: No matter how much you’ve taught yourself about the law, nothing can prepare you for the courtroom like first-hand experience. Even the simplest errors in etiquette, protocol, and terminology can chip away at your case; you place yourself at risk of an arrest for contempt of court.
Scientific Preparation
When it comes to DWI cases, not all attorneys are created equal. The technological and biological factors at play in a DWI case require a scientifically-minded defense. A lawyer-scientist is well versed in anatomy, physiology, toxicology, computer science, physics and biology, allowing him or her to break down each and every element of your case in a way that neither you nor a public defender could. Whether it’s poorly maintained police equipment or interference from a medical condition, lawyer-scientists are trained to look at your case from the widest variety of angles.
Find the Right DWI Attorney
We understand that bad things can happen to good people. Together, we can help get you the results you want. If you have even the slightest doubt about how to proceed with your DWI case, contact the team at Thiessen Law Firm for a free consultation today.
