So, you have recently been stopped by the police authorities and charged with a DWI. In such a situation, a million thoughts jogging inside your head is quite common. You probably very scared about many things. Being charged with a DWI can be a threatening and frightening experience, as it can expose an individual to severe long and short-term penalties. The situation turns out to be more severe when the police authorities work to create an impression that there is no choice left for an accused but to simply plead guilty and accept all the consequences of the case.
Since there are so much that completely depends on the outcome of your case, it’s good to hire an experienced DWI defense lawyer to guide you through the entire process.
Below listed are few important things shared by top DWI defense lawyers that you should do after being charged with a DWI. All you need is to follow these crucial steps and make the right decisions for your DWI case.
WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING
A simple fact about a DWI case is that it can be won or lost with its details. So, it’s good to write down everything you remember right from the DWI stop to date. Here are a few important questions that you should ask yourself and write down the appropriate answers for each of them.
- Where and where were you stopped by the police?
- What was the reason the police give for your stop?
- Did you call someone?
- Was a breath test administered by the officers?
It may take some time for your DWI case to get to the courtroom and time can cause you to forget important details, so write down everything you remember. Be careful not to share it with anyone, except your DWI lawyer.
IDENTIFY THE WITNESSES
Those who witnessed the entire scene as well as your behavior right before, or right after or during your stop can be a valuable resource for your DWI case. Witnesses can go a very long way to strengthen your defense, so it’s good for you to gather as many as you can. Talk to them, and collect their contact information for your DWI defense lawyer.
SAY NO TO SOCIAL MEDIA
If you have been charged with a DWI, it’s better to avoid social media for some time, until your legal issues are resolved. This is because the statements you make on social media can be used against you in the courtroom. So, it’s better not to provide prosecutors any kind of information that can be twisted in their favor.
HIRE AN EXPERIENCED DWI DEFENSE LAWYER
When you are charged with a DWI, you need an experienced lawyer. So, hire a good lawyer before you agree to speak to police officers or plead guilty. Be careful when hiring a legal representative and don’t forget to ask about their prior cases, if they handled the cases similar to yours.
If you have been arrested for a DWI, following the above-highlighted steps can help you protect all your legal rights under the law.