Information Needed To Prepare Your Defense To A DWI Charge

When preparing your defense to a DWI charge, it’s important to gather certain pieces of information to help your attorney build a strong case. Here’s what you’ll need to provide, along with why it’s important in defending your case.

Basic Information for Defense to A DWI Charge

Start by giving your attorney your essential contact details: your phone number, email address, and home address. Along with this, provide a copy of your driver’s license and the summons you received. If you don’t have the summons anymore, don’t worry; your attorney can locate it using your driver’s license number through the Municipal Court portal.

Having these basic details allows your lawyer to get a clearer picture of your case and gather additional relevant information through official channels, such as court documents and records, which will help frame your defense.

Vehicle Ownership Details

It’s important to let your attorney know if you have any vehicles registered in your name. This becomes particularly crucial if your case leads to a requirement to install an interlock device—a device that prevents the vehicle from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath.

The court will specify the vehicle on which the interlock device must be installed, and it’s usually one that is either registered to you or one you have the legal right to drive. This information will assist your attorney in making sure that any conditions imposed by the court are met and help them guide you through the process if an interlock device becomes part of the resolution.

Medical History

One often overlooked aspect of DWI defense is your medical history. Your attorney will need to know if you have any medical conditions or history of surgeries that could have affected your performance during the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs).

For instance, if you have asthma or recently had surgery, this could have impacted your ability to perform balance tests or other physical tasks during the arrest. Providing details about any conditions that may have compromised your performance can help to challenge the validity of the tests and raise doubts about the DWI charges. An experienced attorney can use this information to argue that the test results were inaccurate or unreliable, contributing to a stronger defense.

Prior DWI Offenses

Another crucial piece of information your attorney needs is whether this is your first DWI offense or if you have any prior convictions. The penalties for a DWI increase with subsequent offenses, and knowing your history helps your attorney understand the potential consequences you may be facing.

If this is a second or third offense, it can lead to harsher punishments such as longer license suspensions, mandatory jail time, and higher fines. Being upfront about your history enables your attorney to develop a defense strategy tailored to your specific situation and possibly negotiate a more favorable outcome if you are facing repeat charges.

Additional Factors to Consider

It’s also helpful to provide your attorney with details of the events leading up to your arrest. For example, were you stopped at a routine checkpoint, or did an officer pull you over for another reason, like speeding or a broken taillight? What did the officer say during the interaction, and were there any witnesses?

The circumstances of your arrest can influence the outcome of your case, especially if there’s any indication that proper procedures weren’t followed. Your attorney can use this information to challenge the validity of the stop or the methods used during your arrest, which could lead to the dismissal or reduction of charges.

Providing the right information to your attorney is the first step toward building a strong defense against a DWI charge. From basic personal details and medical history to vehicle ownership and prior offenses, each piece of information plays a role in developing a tailored strategy that can help minimize the impact of a DWI on your life. Being prepared and thorough in gathering this information will not only assist your attorney but also increase your chances of a successful defense.