Getting picked up for DWI is a shocking experience for many. But an arrest does not mean the end of the world. Houston DWI Lawyer Tad A. Nelson has represented hundreds of people in DWI cases, and we know that there’s no reason you can’t continue to have a productive life after an arrest. Below, we offer our 5 best tips for moving on.
Hire the Best DWI Defense Attorney for Your Case
First, you need to make sure your criminal case is in good hands. That means hiring the most experienced lawyer you can find. No one facing a DWI should try to represent themselves or just hope and pray the prosecutor offers a lenient plea deal. Instead, call our firm and schedule a consultation. A skilled criminal defense lawyer with decades of experience in DWI defense can fully analyze all the evidence and find the weaknesses. It’s possible to have charges dismissed or reduced, or we might fight all the way to court. It’s easier to “move on” if you aren’t being sentenced behind bars for several years, so get the legal help you need.
Keep a Clean Nose as Your Case Works through the System
It’s critical that you avoid committing other crimes as you wait for a resolution to your case. That means no bar fights, jaywalking, public intoxication, shoplifting, or graffiti on a public building. Just stay home and watch TV, if you have to. Any other arrests will probably make a judge look at your claims of innocence skeptically.
You also can’t commit any driving infractions, which includes driving with a suspended license. After your arrest, you might end up with a restricted license which allows you to drive only to work or school. Don’t think you have a license to go wherever you want because you could very well easily lose all driving privileges.
Address Any Alcohol or Substance Abuse Problem
Virtually everyone has gotten drunk at some point. That does not mean you are an alcoholic. Nonetheless, you need to be honest with yourself. There are resources available to help people get on top of a chemical addiction, whether you have a problem with alcohol or drugs. Getting on top of an addiction dramatically reduces the likelihood you’ll drive while intoxicated in the future.
Pay Back Your Debt to Society
Your DWI defense lawyer will develop a comprehensive strategy for getting the best result in your criminal case. That might mean seeing charges dismissed. However, you might also end up having some debts you need to pay back:
- Hefty fines
- Community service
- Personal injury awards if you injured someone
- Alcohol or substance abuse classes
Paying back this debt isn’t voluntary, and you’ll do yourself a world of good by committing to paying it all off. This is a mindset issue. Don’t look to make excuses for yourself because no one is interested. A judge won’t let you avoid paying fines, and you can’t use bankruptcy to wipe out financial obligations related to the DWI.
Instead, sit down and figure out how you’ll pay what you owe and make time for community service or classes. It’s easier to stick to a plan when you right it down and post it on your fridge.
Be Prepared to Discuss the DWI
All criminal cases are public knowledge. Most people won’t care, and you don’t need to go around talking about your DWI or drug addiction to strangers. But if you are looking to get a new job—or even if you already have a job—then there’s a good chance the DWI will come up. You might miss work to attend court hearings, classes, or community service. You can expect a boss to ask why. And employers routinely run a background check before hiring someone, so they’ll find the DWI.
What can you do? Be honest. If you’re committed to never committing DWI again, it will show in your actions. You can acknowledge that yes, you made a mistake, but you’re taking these steps to make sure it never happens again. Employers will also like that you are committed to paying back your debt to society in a positive and proactive manner.
Contact Tad Nelson & His Legal Team for a Consultation
Our firm has an impressive track record defending men and women accused of drunk or drugged driving. Give us a call if you have questions or are shopping for an experienced Houston DWI attorney. We can explain more about our years of experience in a private consultation.
