Commonly Asked Questions Related To DWI Cases

Are There Any Probationary Outlets For A First Time DWI Or Multiple ARD Programs In New Jersey?

New Jersey does not have a probationary program for first time DWI alleged offenders. It’s one of the few offenses in New Jersey that does not have some type of diversionary program. It’s an all or nothing situation. Either you win the case or you go home with a DWI conviction, license suspension, fines and costs, and the responsibility to take drunk driving classes as well.

Are There Any Other Ways To Fight A DWI Charge Besides Hiring A Private Attorney?

There are only two ways to handle a New Jersey DWI charge; either fight it with an attorney or fight it without an attorney. The person can defend the charge him or herself, try to qualify for a public defender, or hire a private attorney.

What Should Someone Look For When They’re Evaluating A New Jersey DWI Attorney?

Someone looking for the right DWI attorney needs to determine if that person has the proper knowledge and expertise to handle these cases. In other words, a family law attorney who has never handled a DWI case is not going to be properly equipped to go into court that first time, and do the job right.

Even before an attorney steps into court to defend a DWI charge in New Jersey, he should have gone to a number of continuing legal education courses regarding how municipal courts work, the rules of evidence, and the rules of municipal court procedure. Also, that attorney should have training with regard to field sobriety testing. In New Jersey, they heavily rely upon standardized field sobriety testing in trying to convict people charged with DWI cases.

How Much Time Is Really Needed To Defend Someone To The Fullest And Get The Best Results?

Before taking on a case, the attorney needs to make sure that the client is serious about fighting the DWI charge. An attorney doesn’t want clients who will not participate in their defense. For example, the ideal client discussed any medical issues that he or she may have and helps the attorney get medical records. He or she assists the attorney in understanding what type of witnesses may be available. That’s the first step in the process.

The next step is obviously to get all available information on the case. When the attorney gets involved, he or she knows a minimum of 15-20 hours will be spent on the case. That’s excluding trial time, if the matter goes that far.

Also, the attorney will make sure not to take on too many other cases in order to avoid being overburdened. Good legal counsel wants to be able to devote as much time as needed to each client’s case to get the best result.

What Makes A Successful Attorney Client Relationship?

The first thing that makes a good relationship between attorney and client is to know the client’s name. There are attorneys who go into court and actually have to look at their files in order to remember who they’re representing at that particular court appearance. A successful relationship between an attorney and a client requires that the attorney know that person and know about that person’s particular situation as it pertains to the case. There may be some other information outside the case that could be helpful in assisting in that client’s defense as well. That information can only be known when the lawyer takes the time to be familiar with his or her client. It’s an essential part of the case. Get Answers To Other Commonly Asked Questions About DWI.