If you have been arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI), choosing a DWI defense attorney can be a daunting process. Advertisements for DWI defense attorneys are everywhere in Houston. These ads bombard you with claims about various attorneys and their prior successes. But how do you choose when so many of these ads sound the same?
Thankfully, there are a number of criteria that are solid indicators that separate a real proven DWI specialist you need to fight for you.
What to Look for in a Houston DWI Defense Attorney
There are a number of important criteria to consider when searching for the best DWI defense attorney in Houston. These include:
- How much trial experience does the attorney have?
- Does the attorney handle ALR hearings as well as criminal cases?
- How did the attorney approach cases similar to yours?
- Is the attorney a Board Certified expert in DWI defense law?
- Is the attorney a Board Certified expert in criminal defense law?
- Is the attorney routinely invited to speak at continuing legal education seminars to teach other lawyers how to successfully handle DWI cases?
- Have they been voted by their peers as 2021 Lawyer of the Year for their work in DWI Defense like Doug Murphy?
Many of these questions can only be answered by asking the attorney directly during an initial consultation. But you can usually determine beforehand if the attorney is a Board Certified expert in either DWI defense law or criminal defense law. These certifications are difficult to obtain and require legal skill and extensive experience, which makes them a valuable indicator of whether or not an attorney is capable in DWI cases.
Having one certification is uncommon; having both is rare. Doug Murphy is one of only two attorneys in the State of Texas to be certified as an expert in both DWI defense and criminal law.
Board Certification as an Expert in Criminal Law
The Texas Board of Legal Specialization is authorized by the Supreme Court of Texas to certify attorneys as experts in 24 different legal categories, including criminal law. Certification is only available to attorneys that are substantially involved in Texas criminal defense law.
To be eligible, an applicant must have spent at least 25% of their practice over the previous three years on practicing criminal defense law in Texas. Eligible applicants must also have references from other attorneys to testify to their skill. After an attorney meets these requirements, the attorney then must still pass a rigorous examination to obtain accreditation.
Board Certification as an expert in DWI Defense
To be certified as an expert in DWI defense, Texas attorneys must be accredited by the National College for DUI Defense.
To qualify, an attorney must have substantial involvement in practicing DWI defense law. The attorney must also have been acted as lead attorney in at least 15 DWI trials and at least 40 adversarial hearings. A qualifying applicant must also complete a difficult examination to obtain accreditation as an expert in DWI defense. The DWI board certification exam is one of the most difficult board certification exams accredited by the American Bar Association and recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. That is one of many reasons why only 4 lawyers in Texas are board certified in DWI defense.
Hiring the Best DWI Lawyer in Houston
Attorney Doug Murphy is one of Houston's most qualified DWI defense attorneys being named the 2021 Lawyer of the Year for his work in DWI Defense by Best Lawyers in American published in US News and World Report. An experienced trial attorney, Doug Murphy is a Board Certified expert in both DWI defense as well as criminal defense law. Contact the Doug Murphy Law Firm, P.C. for a free consultation today.
