Aggravated DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) is a new DWI category with new plea-bargaining restrictions and stricter penalties. It means that the driver has a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of 0.18 or more. Even if it’s a misdemeanor, if you are charged with an aggravated DWI, it’s a more serious offense compared to regular DWI. Moreover, the punishment is more severe, and you will need a lawyer due to this.
Lawyers specializing in DWI cases can make a difference in resolving your case. They can also help you understand more about your charges. However, choosing the right one for you can be challenging. This is especially true if it’s your first time dealing with an aggravated DWI case. But, before you look for a lawyer, make sure to click here to know more about DWI. Once you’re knowledgeable with the critical information, here are some of the questions you should ask your lawyer:
Who Will Handle My Case?
The majority of more prominent firms have to deal with many cases. It means that they have lots of staff to pay for as well as pass around cases to paralegals, associates, and more to handle. It’s a common practice in more prominent firms with several law partners. So, it isn’t unusual for the lawyer you meet to give your case to a paralegal who’ll do most of the work on your case. You might not even speak to your lawyer again. It means you will not get lots of personal attention to your case since yours is one of the dozens they have at any time.
In terms of law firms, bigger is not always better. The best lawyers in your nation are the individual legal professionals who have a passion for the law and select which cases they’ll work. Such individuals are worth your time and investment because they do their job out of principle and not for profits.
Thus, it is essential to ask who would be handling your case. Will it be the one you meet, or will someone take over your case? Depending on your personal preferences, knowing the lawyer who will handle your case from the start to the end can help you determine if you can work with the lawyer comfortably or not.
What Is Your Experience In Aggravated DWI Cases?
You need a lawyer who has years of experience defending people charged with aggravated DWI. These lawyers are knowledgeable about defending cases like yours. They are also familiar with the laws in your state. So, ask about how many cases the lawyer has already defended back then as well as how long they have already practiced law.
You may also ask about if they had any similar cases in the past. Ask if their claims settled out of the court or do they have any experience going to the trial. If you have a complicated case, see to it that the lawyer has experience in handling it.
Do You Have Any Established Network Of Professionals?
Aggravated DWI cases involve many details that might help your case. If the traffic stop, chain of custody for the blood tests or field sobriety test is not appropriately handled, such technicalities might help your hired lawyer argue your case.
Reliable lawyers have networks of experts in the field who help search for technicalities and loopholes that may help your case. Crime scene specialists, private investigators, video analysts are some of the professionals that your lawyer might know. If your lawyer has a good network, gathering any necessary evidence can be quickly done.
Do You Have Experience In Courts?
Local experience may be helpful to your case. While laws that govern aggravated DWI cases can be the same in some states, the nuances in every jurisdiction are different. Local lawyers with experience in aggravated DWI cases know how particular prosecutors or judges approach similar cases. They might have good rapport with such people that could work to your advantage. Your local area may also have special programs where you can participate in reducing the punishment’s severity.
How Your Fees Work?
Typically, DWI or DUI lawyers have different payment structures. They sometimes offer hourly rates or charged flat fees from their clients. Asking about the fees of your lawyer is essential, especially if you don’t have extra money to resolve your case immediately. See to it that you understand your lawyer’s payment expectations and fee structure. You might have to pay the entire amount upfront, or the lawyer might provide you a payment plan to spread the costs.
What Can I Expect From My Case?
DWI or DUI’s is one of the most common cases lawyers handle, but if it’s your first time to be charged with an aggravated DWI, you might not be aware of the things to expect. Ask your lawyer regarding the process, so you’ll understand what will happen. With an open, honest, and candid lawyer, you will be guided accordingly. However, lawyers won’t give you any further details regarding what you can expect from your case since it may depend on various things like how big or small your case is.
What Can Be The Result Of My Case?
Knowing the possible penalties for aggravated DWI can help you prepare for what is to come. The penalties may include any combination of license suspension, fines, jail time, and more. Since aggravated DWI is a more severe type of DWI, expect to pay a hefty penalty. There can be additional fees that can accumulate with jail time and fines.
If you have caused an accident that had resulted in death, you might be charged with manslaughter that carries other penalties. Your lawyer must be able to explain such possible consequences. While no lawyer may guarantee the outcome, they must provide you with assuring thoughts about your case and what you might be looking at for the penalties.
Bottom Line
Knowing what questions to ask your New York based lawyer that specializes in aggravated DWI New York will help you pick the best and right representation for your case. Asking and considering the things mentioned above can surely help you gauge the capabilities of a lawyer if they can provide you more information about what you should expect from your case. If you are accused of an aggravated DWI, make sure to hire a reputable lawyer immediately.
