What Should I Do After Getting Arrested For a DWI?

By Douglas V. Hazelton

Our Minnesota DWI Attorneys answer your questions

If you’ve had the unfortunate experience of being arrested for driving while intoxicated, you may be unsure of what to do next. Most people don’t have previous experience to fall back on, and they may not want to discuss this event with family or friends. Be assured that you can turn to the expert advice of our Minnesota DWI attorneys in order to get some information and reassurance in this regard.

Do I need an attorney?

Usually, the first question following a driving while intoxicated arrest is – do I really need an attorney?

Yes you do! There are many ramifications to a DWI!

Our Minnesota DWI attorneys have the expertise to protect your interests. Minnesota DWI attorneys are experienced in helping clients throughout the process – including examining the case to see if it’s possible to dismiss or significantly reduce the charges.

When you research Minnesota DWI attorneys, look for firms that have expertise representing clients arrested for driving while intoxicated. It is important to find law firms with experience in criminal defense, but it’s also important to find a firm that has unique expertise with the entire DWI process. These attorneys are often members of National Drunk Driving Defense Force or National College of DUI.

How can an attorney help?

You may think that the charge of driving while intoxicated affords you few legal options. That’s where representation by Minnesota DWI attorneys can make all the difference. After the arrest, these defense attorneys will demand the opportunity to access and review the arrest reports, audio and visual tapes, intoxilyzer logs and lab reports, examine the results of the breath analysis, and check the hospital or forensic testing process. Each step offers an opportunity to dismiss or reduce the charges.

Minnesota DWI attorneys also offer their expert advice when it comes to taking the case to trial or attempting to obtain a favorable plea bargain. In some instances, negotiating a plea bargain with the prosecuting attorney may be the best choice following a driving while intoxicated arrest. Plea bargains may result in a reduction of the charge, a minimized sentence, and a savings in expert witness and other fees commonly associated with a trial.

Being arrested for driving while intoxicated can be a scary wake up call for anyone. You may feel completely vulnerable and helpless, as though all is now lost. When you seek the advice of qualified and experienced Minnesota DWI attorneys, you’ll find that you not only have options, but the situation may be better than you had imagined. Although one certainly cannot minimize the seriousness of this arrest, it is certainly possible to protect your best interests and make sure that the experience does not serve to have long-term detrimental repercussions on your future.

Doug V. Hazelton is an experienced DUI Defense Attorney, who for has successfully handled hundreds of criminals cases. He is a member of Hennepin County and Minnesota Bar associations.

Attorney Hazelton is a graduate of the National College for DUI Defense conducted at Harvard Law School and was named a Member of the College in 1997. He was named Minnesota’s National Delegate to the College in 2006. In addition to lecturing on DUI/DWI-related topics locally and nationally, his articles have been published in numerous publications including Criminal Defense Techniques (Matthew Bender), Criminal Constitutional Law (Matthew Bender), the Police Misconduct and Civil Rights Law Report (Clark Boardman). He is a contributing editor for the Minnesota DWI Deskbook and he is slated to publish the 2008 Thomson West DWI Law Practice Book.

Douglas V. Hazelton [mailto:dvhazelton@aol.com]dvhazelton@aol.com 612-334-3342 http://www.dwi-minnesota.com

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