Aside from DWI, my brother was also charged with other crime when he was arrested here in New Jersey. How can I convince him to hire a DWI lawyer to help him on his defense? Also, can a lawyer get one of the two charges in DWI dropped?

Helena

Vineland, NJ

If your brother is being charged with other crimes such as a hit and run or resisting arrest in addition to his DWI charge in Vineland, New Jersey, he definitely has to hire a lawyer. You can convince him in doing so if you explain to him that the additional charges complicate things and increase the maximum and minimum possible penalty and a lawyer is better equipped to negotiate deals in these cases including potential dismissals of certain charges.

But do not be fooled by DWI lawyer who are claiming that they could get one of the two charges in a DWI dropped. All DWI, assuming there was a breath or blood sample given that tested at or above 0.08%, consists of two kinds of charges. The first one is that the DWI suspect was “under the influence” and the other one is that the blood alcohol content was at or above a 0.08%. A person could not be sentenced for both charges by law so getting one of them dismissed is no great feat.

What do I need to look for when hiring a DWI attorney? What should be the basis of choosing a good DWI attorney in Edison, New Jersey?

Cindy

Edison, NJ

When charged with DWI, hiring an attorney who will exhaust all means to get you out of trouble is the best thing to do. Since you have to go through a trial and may be even spend time in jail, you need to look for a specialized attorney in DWI. Most people are confused as to how they can pick a good DWI lawyer to trust their case to. Bear in mind the following important reminders:
1) Hire a lawyer who specializes in DWI rather than lawyers handling criminal law. A DWI lawyer’s fee may be a little higher than a lawyer who can take care of general cases but he’ll sure have a lot of experience about DWI cases. So, he will know how to go about your case easier.
2) Always check your potential DWI lawyer’s track record. A DWI lawyer who has won many DWI cases is the one you need to look for. This is because a DWI lawyer who keeps his records clean can present this as a way to earn the trust of potential clients. There’s nothing wrong with being frank and asking your lawyer about the history of DWI cases he won. You can also ask your friend so that they can possibly refer someone they know. Or, contacting the local Bar Association may also be of help.
3) Choose a lawyer that you feel good about. A good-working relationship with your lawyer is important so that you can help each other out in winning the case. Most likely, a lawyer’s attitude in court will basically give you an idea of his work ethics. Don’t ruin your chance of winning your case by choosing a lawyer with low standards of discipline.