Unless you’re really well-versed in the law, you’re always better off having a lawyer represent you in court. Some people think that just because they’ve seen a lot of crime shows on TV, they understand how the law works. And the fact is that you might have a general idea. But you’re never going to be as well-versed in it as a practicing lawyer. Not only has your lawyer spent years studying to get where they are today but they’re also up to date in the changes made to the law since the time they got their law degree. So unless you’ve spent a similar number of years studying the law and practicing it, it’s better to have a lawyer represent you in court. Here are some of the things a Minnesota DWI lawyer can do that you can’t:
- Estimate Your Chances: Your Minnesota DWI lawyer has represented many other cases just like yours. So they can tell you which ones are 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th degree offences. Plus, they’ll also be able to tell you the sentences attached to each. Just figuring out where you stand with regard to the legal system will be your lawyer’s first step, before they consider your case in detail and start working to get you acquitted or get a reduced sentence.
- Find Loopholes: Even if your offence seems to be serious, it is possible for your lawyer to find a loophole which will help you out. For example, they might ask you if you were read your rights or if you were given a breathalyzer test or a different type of drug/alcohol test right away. If there was any negligence on the part of the police, your lawyer will be able to use it to your advantage.
- Make Deals: It doesn’t only happen in the movies. It is possible to make deals with the prosecutor in real life as well. If you possess any kind of important information that will be of use to the state, your lawyer can use this to make a deal for you. They may also advise you when it’s not in your best interest to take a deal that’s offered.
- Consider the Personal Factor: Although the law is just, there’s always a personal factor to be considered. Maybe you’re the kind of person who will come across in a sympathetic way to the judge. Or maybe your appearance works against you. Either way, your lawyer will be able to advise you how to present yourself in court.
- Do Research: Your lawyer will be able to do research to find out if there were other cases like yours in which the sentence was a light one. They will then be able to put this in front of the judge and ask that your sentence be lightened as well.
- Bring Their Knowledge to the Table: Your DWI lawyer has probably been working at cases such as yours for a while now. So they’re going to know the lawyers who work for the prosecution and the judges who are assigned to cases like yours. Depending on how these lawyers have prosecuted cases in the past and how the judges have ruled, they’ll know how to fight your case.
- Take Your Past into Consideration: Have you had other DWIs in the past? In fact, have you ever been in trouble with the law? This might include fines or incarceration. Or it might also include the fact that you were charged with crimes but then acquitted. Your lawyer will be able to take your past into consideration and use it in their arguments to get you acquitted or reduce your sentence.
Contact us to learn more about what a Minnesota DWI lawyer can do for you.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Please contact attorney Kirk Anderson for an initial consultation.