You’re sitting there staring at a pile of papers from your arrest, probably still in disbelief that this happened to you. The whole thing feels surreal.
One bad decision, one moment of poor judgment, and now you’re googling DWI lawyers at 2 AM wondering how much this is going to cost and if you’re going to jail.
Take a breath. This isn’t the end of the world, but it is serious. Your first meeting with a lawyer can either set you up for success or leave you more confused than when you started.
Dig Up Every Piece of Paper You Got
That stack of paperwork isn’t just bureaucratic nonsense. Each document tells part of your story, and your lawyer needs to see the whole picture.
The most important thing is your citation with the court date. Miss that date and you’ll have bigger problems than just a DWI. Some states give you a separate DMV hearing date too – that’s for your license suspension, and it happens on a different timeline than your criminal case.
Police reports can be goldmines of information. Sometimes officers make mistakes in their paperwork. Sometimes their version of events doesn’t match what actually happened. Your lawyer will know how to spot these inconsistencies.
Got receipts from that night? Restaurant bills, gas station purchases, anything with timestamps? Bring them. They help establish your timeline and can sometimes contradict the officer’s account of when things happened.
What else to gather:
- Breathalyzer results and any test refusal notices
- Towing and impound paperwork
- Insurance letters about your policy
- Photos you took (even blurry ones from your phone)
- Any medical records if you take prescription medications
Don’t assume something isn’t important. That receipt from the drive-through at 11:47 PM might prove you weren’t drinking as recently as the officer claims.
Tell Your Story From Start to Finish
Lawyers aren’t mind readers. They need details, lots of them, even ones that seem embarrassing or irrelevant.
Start from the beginning of that day. What did you eat for lunch? When was your last drink? Were you stressed about work, fighting with your spouse, dealing with family drama? Your mental and physical state matters more than you think.
The traffic stop itself is obviously crucial. Why did the cop pull you over? Speeding, weaving, broken taillight? What did they say to you, and how did you respond? Did you admit to drinking? Did you volunteer information they didn’t ask for?
Field sobriety tests are where a lot of people think they messed up. “I should have refused” or “I knew I was stumbling” – but there are legitimate reasons why someone might fail these tests. Medical conditions, medications, nervousness, bad lighting, uneven pavement.
Be completely honest about how much you had to drink. Lying to your lawyer helps nobody. They’ve heard it all before, and they can’t build a proper defense based on false information.
Some people remember everything crystal clear. Others have gaps in their memory. Both are normal, and both are useful information for your lawyer.
Know What Questions to Ask
This isn’t the time to be polite and hope for the best. You’re paying for expertise, so use it.
Most people ask “Can you get me off?” That’s not the right question.
Better question: “What are my realistic options?”
Sometimes that means fighting the charges. Sometimes it means negotiating the best possible plea deal. Sometimes it means damage control.
Ask about timelines. Criminal cases can drag on for months. License hearings happen much faster. You need to know what’s coming and when.
Money talk is awkward but necessary. How much will this cost? Do they want money upfront? What happens if your case goes to trial instead of settling? Some lawyers charge flat fees, others bill by the hour.
Local knowledge matters a lot in DWI cases. When looking for experienced Maryland DWI lawyers, you want someone who knows how things actually work in your specific courthouse, not just someone who passed the bar exam.
Questions that actually matter:
- How often do you handle cases in this jurisdiction?
- What typically happens to first-time offenders here?
- Should I fight this or try to negotiate?
- Will I lose my license, and for how long?
- Could this affect my job or professional licenses?
Bring Your Background Info
Your history tells a story. Clean record? That’s good. Previous arrests? Your lawyer needs to know.
Employment status matters too. Losing your license might mean losing your job if you drive for work. Professional licenses can be at risk – doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, anyone with state licensing might face additional consequences beyond just the criminal charges.
Military service, community involvement, family responsibilities – these details humanize you. Prosecutors and judges see DWI defendants all day. Anything that makes you stand out as a real person with real responsibilities can help.
Don’t hide embarrassing stuff. Previous arrests, employment problems, whatever. Your lawyer will find out anyway, and it’s better coming from you.
Set Realistic Expectations for the Meeting
This consultation isn’t going to fix everything immediately. Think of it as gathering information so you can make smart decisions.
Good lawyers won’t make promises they can’t keep. Anyone who guarantees they’ll get your charges dismissed is probably lying. Too many variables exist in criminal cases to make those kinds of promises.
You should leave this meeting understanding your options, your timeline, and your costs. You should also have a sense of whether this particular lawyer is someone you want representing you.
Some lawyers are aggressive fighters who take everything to trial. Others are skilled negotiators who get great plea deals. Neither approach is automatically better – it depends on your specific situation and what you’re hoping to achieve.
The goal is to make informed decisions about your future. DWI charges are serious, but they’re not automatically life-ruining. Good preparation for this first meeting gives you the best shot at a good outcome.