Washington Dui Lawyer
Q: Four months ago I was stopped and arrested for DWI. I give no excuses for this, it was wrong and I'm paying the price for it. After the arrest I received various solicitations by mail from attorneys, I retained one. My attorney stated that because It was my first DWI that typically he could make a plea to the State and I would have to pay a $500 fine, a sentence of 6 months probation, community service and attend driver education class, this in addition to a two month suspension of my drivers license. This punishment seems to be the norm for a first time offender and I have no problems with it, after all DWI is a serious offense. My trial was scheduled and then rescheduled by the court. I end up going to trial four months after my initial arrest. My attorney said when we appeared in front of the Judge I was to plea "no contest" and he would handle the rest. As I was sitting outside of the court waiting for my case to be called, my attorney had me meet with his legal assistant for some signatures they need of me. His legal assistant made a comment to the effect, "It's a good thing this isn't your third DWI". I responded what do you mean by that? This is my first offence. She just looked at me with long pause. She said No you got one here in 1978 that doesn't count, but then you received another on this date and.... I was in a state of panic! It turns out that they had another man's record associated with my case a man that over some period had accumulated several DWI's including a felony and weapon possession charge. Then my case was called and I was sentenced She (the Magistrate), stated I am found guilty and she accepts the plea for 24 Months Supervised Probation then in addition community service and a fine of $500 I believe that the plea my attorney submitted was based on the criminal record of the man they thought I was, and not on the man I am. What am I to do in this situation?
A: If you've been charged with DUI, finding a good lawyer should be your first priority. Today's DUI laws are so complicated and the punishment so severe that you should find an attorney who devotes most of his or her practice to DUI defense and who has a strong reputation for competence in the legal community. Just as with most professions, lawyers know who has the best reputation for handling specific types of cases, so the best referral source is usually a local attorney. If you don't know any attorneys, another excellent source is anyone involved in law enforcement or the criminal justice system. Police officers, prosecutors, judges and court personnel all know who the best DUI lawyers are and can tell you who they would retain if they were charged. Another source is the local bar association referral service. However, be advised that the Bar does not screen candidates for its referral list, so you should be careful to verify the attorney's credentials before making a hiring decision. You should be especially cautious in using the Yellow Pages to find a lawyer, since anyone can take out an ad regardless of experience or ability. Be sure to ask the lawyer what percentage of his or her practice is devoted to DUI defense. If it's less than 50% you should be cautious.