How to Find the Best Wyoming DWUI Defense Attorney for Your Case

If you’ve been arrested and charged with driving while under the influence (DWUI) of alcohol or drugs in Wyoming, it’s important that you hire a skilled and experienced Wyoming criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible. Cases in the criminal justice system move quickly. If you don’t hire an attorney with the skill and experience to handle your case, you might forfeit some of your rights or miss important deadlines, like the time limit to request limit driving privileges. But how do you choose the right one?

For many people, a DWUI is your first brush with the law. You may never have thought about hiring a lawyer before. If that’s the case, this article will help you choose the best DWUI defense attorney for your case, and give you some questions to ask when meeting with a potential criminal defense attorney.

Factors to Consider When Hiring a Wyoming DWUI Defense Lawyer

Qualifications & Experience

When you’re looking for a DWUI defense attorney, it’s important that you get some information about the lawyer, their background, and their experience. Just because an attorney is licensed doesn’t mean you want that lawyer handling your DWUI case. Just like you wouldn’t want a foot doctor performing heart surgery, you don’t want a probate attorney who’s never tried a case handling the defense of your DWUI charge.

To help you decide which attorney to hire, here are some basic questions you can ask about the lawyer’s background and experience:

• How long have you been representing people accused of DWUIs?
• How many DWUI cases do you handle per year?
• What other kinds of cases do you handle? (Most DWUI defense attorneys also handle other criminal defense matters)
• How often have you had cases where my case will be heard?
• Do you usually negotiate plea agreements?
• How many DWUI cases have you taken to trial?

When you’re choosing a lawyer to defend you, you want an attorney who has experience with Wyoming DWUI cases, and who regularly handles cases in the court where your case will be heard. You also want a lawyer who has experience taking cases to trial; not someone who’s going to jump at the first plea bargain the prosecutor offers. Granted, many cases end up getting resolved through a plea bargain; but the best way to get a good deal is by preparing your case as if it will go to trial.

At Just Criminal Law, my team and I have defended thousands of people accused of crimes. We know that preparation is often the key to a “not guilty” verdict. That’s why we put in the time to prepare exhibits and witnesses to help you get ready for trial.

Case Assessment

In your initial meeting with a potential DWUI defense attorney, ask for their assessment of your case. A good DWUI defense lawyer will be able to give you an overview of how they’d handle your case. Of course, every case is different, so the assessment may change as we learn more about the case. But you should leave the meeting with a good idea of how an attorney will handle a case like yours. Some questions to ask might include:

• How would you approach a case like mine?
• Do you think my case will go to trial?
• Have you handled a case like this before?
• What factors work in my favor, and which factors work against me?
• Can you outline the process for a case like this?

Case Management

In many law offices, and for solo practitioners in particular, the attorney is the only one working on your case. While this may sound good in theory, the downside is that any time the lawyer gets pulled away on a different matter, your case may not get the attention it deserves.

At Just Criminal Law, I have a team of DWUI defense professionals working hard on your case. By having an efficient support staff, I can make sure that you get the attention you deserve, even if I’m not in the office, or am busy working on another case.

To learn how an attorney will manage your case, and to help you decide who should represent you in your DWUI case, here are some questions to ask a lawyer:

• Who will be working on my case?
• Who do I call with questions?
• How quickly do you return phone calls?
• Who will be representing me in the courtroom?
• Will I receive regular status updates?

Attorney’s Fees

Hiring a DWUI defense attorney can be expensive, and you don't want any surprises. That's why it's important that you ask questions about the lawyer's fee agreement up front.

Criminal defense lawyers usually use one of two fee arrangements: a flat fee, or an hourly rate.

In a flat fee arrangement, the lawyer charges one fee for a portion of the case, or even for the entire case. There is often one fee if the case is resolved before going to trial, and an additional fee if you decide to take your case to trial.

In an hourly fee arrangement, the attorney will bill you for every hour spent on your case.

Regardless of the fee structure, make sure that you understand it. You might ask:

• Do you use an hourly rate or a flat fee?
• What's included in the fee?
• Will there be additional charges and, if so, for what?
• Is there anything that is not included?
• If there are any expenses that are not included, what are they, and how much do you think they will cost?
• What forms of payment do you accept?
• Do I have payment options?
• When is payment in full due?

Choosing the right lawyer to defend you in your Wyoming DWUI case may seem like a difficult task. But it's one that needs your prompt attention, and cannot wait. If you've been charged with a DWUI in Wyoming, it’s important that you quickly make an informed decision about which Wyoming lawyer should defend you.

Contact the Experienced DWUI Defense Professionals at Just Criminal Law Today

If you’re facing Wyoming DWUI charges, contact Just Criminal Law today to schedule a meeting with a member of our team of experienced DWUI defense professionals.

Call 307-686-6556, email office@justcriminallaw.com, or complete our online form.

If you’ve been charged with a DWUI in Wyoming, there are court filings and administrative procedures that need to be addressed quickly. Don’t delay – contact Just Criminal Law today.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article is offered for educational purposes only. This information is not offered as legal advice. A person accused of a crime should always consult with an attorney before making decisions that have legal consequences.