If you are arrested for a DWI (also known as DUI), you need to retain the services of a reputable criminal defense lawyer immediately. A good lawyer will know the administrative procedures necessary for preventing the suspension of your drivers license (which happens automatically in many states, even before you go to court), and he/she will also be able to obtain better results for you in court than you could get on your own. Many people do not realize that there are often options available to keep the entire incident off of your record, but if you walk into court without a lawyer then those options will not be available to you. The saying that “a person who represents himself has a fool for a client” is especially true in DUI cases, because the proper handling of this type of case requires far more expertise than most people realize. Even your average attorney does not know the right way to handle a DUI case, which is why you should make sure to hire an actual criminal defense lawyer who does this kind of work all of the time.
One of the options that your attorney may be able to arrange is to place you in some kind of pre-trial diversion program. In a program like this, the court would withhold adjudication on your case, and allow you the opportunity to take substance abuse classes for a period of time. If you complete the course requirements and do not get into any more trouble, then the charge could be dismissed and it would not go on your record. This opportunity is usually available only to first-time offenders.
Another possibility is that you have a good defense to the DUI charge. An experienced attorney can evaluate your situation and tell you whether you have a winnable case. DUI law is far more complex than just determining whether you failed a breath test, and a good lawyer can tell you whether there is enough evidence for a conviction. Often, the officers have not followed the proper procedures in building the case, and a significant error in that procedure can result in them not being able to present the rest of their case.
If you have been arrested for DUI, then call a criminal defense lawyer immediately. Your situation may not be as bad as you think it is, or it may be much worse than you think it is. Either way, you need the help of a good attorney. You would not try to perform your own heart surgery, so why in the world would you try to represent yourself in court? Hire someone who does this all the time, who already knows the process, and who can protect you from all of the negative consequences of a DUI conviction.