Dos and Don’ts of DWIs

Getting a DWI can be a scary experience. You got arrested, you lost your license, you might lose your job. What are you supposed to do? The first thing you should do is read this list of Dos and Don’ts because they are based on the most common mistakes people make after getting a DWI. The second thing you should do is contact Charlie Burgess at 817-808-4731, an expert DWI attorney who serves the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Now take a deep breath, and read on to get some great information about what to do after you get a DWI.

DON’T Try To Handle Your Case Alone
Your prosecutor is an expert at what he does. Unless you are an expert at defending DWI victims, you can’t do this alone. No matter how many informational websites you read or how many lawyer friends you talk to, you need someone who is an experienced and knowledgeable DWI lawyer to help you make the best of your unfortunate situation.

DO Show Up For Court
Even if your lawyer shows up to court, you are still required to be present for any scheduled court dates. If you don’t show up, a warrant will be put out for your arrest. That means that if you get pulled over for any minor violation, you’ll be immediately taken to jail, and you can bet that your DWI sentencing will not be lightened because of an additional arrest.

DON’T Talk to Anyone Else About Your Situation
Your attorney is the only person you should discuss your DWI with. He is not allowed to disclose any information about your case, and anything you tell your attorney cannot be held against you. However, any bit of information about your DWI that you share with someone other than your lawyer (a police officer, a friend, a co-worker, etc.) can and likely will be used against you in court.

DO Contest Your Driver’s License Confiscation
In Texas, you have two weeks to contest having your driver’s license taken away. If you miss that window, it will be much harder to get your license back. In addition to contesting confiscation, you can apply for a temporary occupational driver’s license so that you can still travel to and from your job legally.

DON’T Hire an Attorney Based Solely on Cost
A DWI can greatly affect your life for a long time, so you absolutely need your case to be handled well. A cheap attorney is going to give you what you pay for—not much. The state of Texas has almost unlimited funds when it comes to prosecuting those charged with a DWI, so you need someone who can fight against that with the same level of power.

DO Take A DWI Arrest Seriously
This may seem like a no brainer, but a DWI conviction is a big deal and you need to handle it accordingly. A DWI conviction will appear on background checks for the rest of your life, and subsequent DWI charges will result in much harsher penalties, in addition to higher insurance premiums, court costs and fines, probation fees, drug tests, and required classes. If you’ve been arrested for DWI, it is absolutely vital that you hire the best DWI attorney in your area.