| 10. How much will an attorney cost me?
Should I take my case to trial?
How much you pay for an attorney depends on too many factors
to list here. Proper defense of DWI involves a great deal of valuable time
and efforts, so don't expect a low price. If you want the "lowest-priced"
attorney you can find to hold your hand as you plead guilty, the phrase "you
get what you pay for" comes to mind.
Phillip W. Goff knows many DWI defense attorneys
in Texas and the United States, so he may be able to help find a lawyer
to help you, depending upon your budget. Contact him for more information.
Financial costs of a DWI conviction are extraordinary.
Whatever the result of your DWI case, you will live with it for many years.
Investing in an attorney is an important decision which affects your freedom
and financial future.
Every person who pleads guilty to DWI is convicted of
DWI. An overwhelming percentage of those convicted are placed on probation.
If you take the case to trial, you may lose, but you have a chance to win;
pleading guilty means a 100% chance you will lose. Probation is not guaranteed
after losing a jury trial, but most misdemeanor DWI cases result in probation,
even after jury trial. Your individual case needs to be assessed on its
particular facts, and that requires in-depth review of information.
Taking a case to trial has its pros and cons. Trials do
not happen as quickly as pleas of guilty, of course. As time passes, emotions
and memories blur; witnesses may move or die. Trial is usually very stressful
for the accused. These are a few of the numerous factors to consider.
You have the ultimate decision as to whether you take
your case to trial, and you should carefully weigh all the facts with your
lawyer before making that decision. Without knowing details of your case,
it is impossible to intelligently answer whether you should take your case
to trial.
*All answers are for people 21 years or older, do not involve enhancements,
are not exclusive, and are limited to Texas.
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