Being charged with a DWI doesn't have to mean the end of your life as you know it. The truth is, if you've been charged with your first and your blood alcohol levels weren't too far above the legal limit, you might get away with nothing more than a short license suspension and some fines to pay. Here, you'll find a bit of information that can help lessen the impact the DWI will have on your future.

Hire a DWI Lawyer

You may be told that you qualify for a public defender to represent you, but the truth is, that's not the best choice to make. You see, public defenders are so overloaded with cases that they are quick to settle with plea agreements just to clear the caseload.

Instead, hire a lawyer that specializes in DWI cases. He or she will know the law surrounding not only the punishments that come from being convicted, but also the laws that must be carefully followed by law enforcement as they arrest you for the DWI. If they pulled you over without cause, the entire case could be thrown out. Chances are, a public defender wouldn't bother looking into things too closely, but a DWI lawyer will.

Attend Meetings

In many states, if you're convicted of a DWI, you'll be ordered to attend alcohol awareness or treatment meetings. If it's not your first offense, or your blood alcohol levels were very high, you could be ordered to complete a treatment program–inpatient or out.

To get a jump on the process, you can begin attending meetings before you even go to court to fight the charges. Your attorney will inform the court that you've been attending the meetings and that you've learned from your mistakes. This can help show the judge that you're working towards a more positive future and won't be as likely to get behind the wheel intoxicated again.

Don't Do it Again

This first time you are charged you'll get off fairly easily compared to what will happen if you're charged and convicted a second time. If you're going to drink, get an Uber, Lyft, or find a friend that can drive you. It's not only for your legal protection, it's for your own safety as well as those that are sharing the roads with you.

Talk with a DWI lawyer near you to discuss the possibilities of fighting these charges and getting out of this mess with as little impact as possible.

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