Q= What are some of the benefits of hiring a lawyer?

Q= What are some of the benefits of hiring a lawyer?

A= There are many. In a perfect world, all those charged, i.e., Defendants, with a crime (rich and poor) would be able to retain a competent, experienced and zealous criminal defense attorney | DWI lawyer of their own choosing to represent them. *Note: a Defendant who qualifies for and is assigned a public defender, is not getting an attorney of their own choosing.

As an experienced criminal defense attorney | Minnesota DWI lawyer— I see firsthand, often on a daily basis, the advantages and benefits of having competent representation. Unfortunately, I also regularly see the consequences of not having a competent criminal defense attorney |DWI lawyer (or no attorney at all).

At the very least, a competent criminal defense attorney will make sure that your interests, and more importantly, your constitutional rights, are asserted and protected throughout the entire criminal court process. This includes the benefit of “hand-holding,” e.g., providing you with certainty or foresight into what to expect before it happens, alleviating or calming your fears, etc., by the competent criminal defense attorney who has the necessary experience to properly handle the matter.

As a competent, experienced and zealous criminal defense attorney |DWI lawyer, I will also provide you with the practical information and legal resources that often has taken years to obtain and learn. Although the substantive legal issues in a given case are very important, many of my clients are more concerned about the "smaller" or procedural details, e.g., What happens at court? or How do I obtain a Limited Driver’s License (Work/School) Permit?

A competent, experienced and zealous criminal defense attorney | DWI lawyer will be able to provide answers, helpful guidance and resources with respect to many issues in your case, including:

« The steps necessary to obtain a Limited Driver’s License (Work/School) Permit.

« Getting your driver’s license fully reinstated and/or your license plates returned after a license revocation or plate impoundment—even while your case is still pending.

« Protecting your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or other endorsement.

« Lining you up with a competent and reputable chemical assessor or other professional necessary for your case.

« Setting you up with a bail bondsman or bail company in advance of a bail hearing or other criminal court appearance.

« Giving you directions to and contact information for the courthouse and courtroom where your case will be heard.

« Getting you in early for the “Booking” process when and where necessary.

« Providing you with valuable information, including the pros and cons, on a particular prosecuting attorney and/or judge assigned to your case.

« Showing you how to speak, where to stand and what to wear in court.

« Filing an Implied Consent (IC) Petition challenging your license revocation and/or plate impoundment.

« Filing a Forfeiture Petition challenging the legality of your vehicle forfeiture.

« Properly investigating your matter, including reviewing the police reports and the prosecutor’s evidence, and conducting legal research.

Another common benefit that I see many of my clients receive, especially those who work, have families or reside out-of-state, involves them not having to physically appear in court. Unless you are a seasoned Defendant, i.e., appeared in court many times (and even then you still may be terrified), the courthouse experience can be very overwhelming and scary.

Of course, this apprehension can be minimized or eliminated by retaining a competent criminal defense attorney | Minnesota DWI lawyer to represent you and appear in court on your behalf without you ever (or minimally) having to show up in person.

Most Arraignments, i.e., generally your first court appearance in the criminal court process, consist of a “cattle call” of many cases with a lot of unrepresented Defendants. Thus, a lot of the Arraignment time is spent on reading rights, reading charges and scheduling subsequent court dates—things that are often unnecessary or a waste of your time when you have hired a private criminal defense attorney. Without a private criminal defense attorney appearing on your behalf at the Arraignment, you will need to personally appear in criminal court and plan on taking that day off of work.

At the very best, a competent criminal defense attorney | DWI lawyer will win your case or help resolve your case in a manner that would not have been likely achievable without the attorney’s representation. This includes damage control in cases that ultimately require the minimization of the adverse consequences, including, depending on your case:

C Dismissal of the criminal charges and/or suppression of evidence.

C Resolving your case as quietly, quickly and painlessly as possible.

C No criminal conviction upon the expiration of a period of time and the satisfaction of certain conditions.

C No felony conviction and no restriction on your right to travel, possess a firearm or to vote.

C No loss of a vehicle (via vehicle forfeiture) or license plates (via plate impoundment).

C No loss of a driver’s license, including issues involving CDL’s.

C Getting your driver’s license fully reinstated early.

C No, or limited, jail/prison time.

C No, or a minimal fine and/or court costs.

C A shortened probationary period—or none at all.

C The least restrictive terms and conditions of your probation.

Because you only have one shot at justice, it is critical that you ensure, as best you can, that everything that can be done in your criminal case is done. This starts at the very start with hiring a competent, experienced and zealous criminal defense attorney | DWI lawyer to fight for and protect your rights. Your entire future could depend on it!

Call Me, Matthew L. Thornton, Esq.: (651) 699-2007