One of the main questions my clients ask is "what can I do to prepare for my court date?" It is important to take steps prior to your court date to make sure that you are prepared for the consequences of the hearing. Typically, you want to prepare for worst case scenario and the good news is that you have control over what happens between the time you are charged with a DWI and your court date. Defending a DWI charge is all about preparation.
If you are convicted of a DWI charge, whether through guilty plea, or a jury verdict, you will have a sentencing hearing. At that time you will present evidence that you are not going to be a repeat DWI offender. The judge will want to hear evidence that convinces him you will not end up in front of him or hear again on a second DWI charge. If you do, that judge looks bad for letting you off too easily the first time.
Carefully read the list below and identify which steps apply to your case. You will want to do everything on the list that helps your case in any way.
Obtain an alcohol assessment. Having an alcohol assessment completed before your court date is a specific mitigating factor at sentencing. Obtaining this assessment is probably the easiest, but also the most important, way to prepare for a DWI sentencing hearing. Contact an attorney or a local alcohol assessment agency for more information.
If your alcohol assessment recommends classes, take them. Follow through with any classes that your assessment recommends. The court will almost always require you to take these classes anyway, so you can show the judge that you are taking initiative by taking the classes before you are required to.
Participate in community service with a non-profit organization. Look up local churches, goodwill, salvation army, etc. Performing community service will demonstrate to the judge that you are a contributing member to society and that you are willing to work your way back to being a productive part of your community.
Attend AA meetings. This would be strongly suggested if you are going to court on a second DWI charge. Many AA sponsors are willing to write an anonymous letter on your behalf stating the amount of meetings you have attended, your involvement in those meetings, and their relationship with you.
Stop alcohol use entirely prior to your court date. There are two ways to demonstrate this to the court: You can get a continuous alcohol monitoring device, or you can simply stop drinking. If you stop drinking, you will need to be able to honestly tell the judge that you are sober, and have not been drinking since the DWI. If you think you can lie to a judge in court about your sue of alcohol, you're wrong. Judges have years of experience reading people's sincerity and you won't fool them too easily.
Obtain a letter from your car insurance that says any and all property damage as a result of your DWI accident has been paid. This is absolutely necessary of you cause an accident and damage to another person's car, or if you injure someone. This letter is your way of telling the court that you have taken responsibility for your actions and paid everyone to whom you owe a debt as a result of your accident.
Take advantage of a free legal consultation. While there are many ways to prepare for a court date on your own, don't hesitate to take advantage of a free legal consultation during which an attorney can help you develop an action plan for your case.
If you are convicted of a DWI charge, whether through guilty plea, or a jury verdict, you will have a sentencing hearing. At that time you will present evidence that you are not going to be a repeat DWI offender. The judge will want to hear evidence that convinces him you will not end up in front of him or hear again on a second DWI charge. If you do, that judge looks bad for letting you off too easily the first time.
Carefully read the list below and identify which steps apply to your case. You will want to do everything on the list that helps your case in any way.
Obtain an alcohol assessment. Having an alcohol assessment completed before your court date is a specific mitigating factor at sentencing. Obtaining this assessment is probably the easiest, but also the most important, way to prepare for a DWI sentencing hearing. Contact an attorney or a local alcohol assessment agency for more information.
If your alcohol assessment recommends classes, take them. Follow through with any classes that your assessment recommends. The court will almost always require you to take these classes anyway, so you can show the judge that you are taking initiative by taking the classes before you are required to.
Participate in community service with a non-profit organization. Look up local churches, goodwill, salvation army, etc. Performing community service will demonstrate to the judge that you are a contributing member to society and that you are willing to work your way back to being a productive part of your community.
Attend AA meetings. This would be strongly suggested if you are going to court on a second DWI charge. Many AA sponsors are willing to write an anonymous letter on your behalf stating the amount of meetings you have attended, your involvement in those meetings, and their relationship with you.
Stop alcohol use entirely prior to your court date. There are two ways to demonstrate this to the court: You can get a continuous alcohol monitoring device, or you can simply stop drinking. If you stop drinking, you will need to be able to honestly tell the judge that you are sober, and have not been drinking since the DWI. If you think you can lie to a judge in court about your sue of alcohol, you're wrong. Judges have years of experience reading people's sincerity and you won't fool them too easily.
Obtain a letter from your car insurance that says any and all property damage as a result of your DWI accident has been paid. This is absolutely necessary of you cause an accident and damage to another person's car, or if you injure someone. This letter is your way of telling the court that you have taken responsibility for your actions and paid everyone to whom you owe a debt as a result of your accident.
Take advantage of a free legal consultation. While there are many ways to prepare for a court date on your own, don't hesitate to take advantage of a free legal consultation during which an attorney can help you develop an action plan for your case.
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If you are looking to find the best Charlotte DWI Attorney, then visit Minick Law Firm's website to find the best advice on a DWI Lawyer for you.
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