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Hiring the right DWI lawyer is critical to the success of your case. Many attorneys in Minnesota hold themselves out to be DWI lawyers, but are not. Ask them these questions:

1) What Percentage of your practice is DWI defense?

The answer should be more than 50%. Any less than that and the lawyer simply dabbles in DWI defense. Because of the complex scientific principles involved, an attorney must commit to learn and keep up to date on them. Would you go to your family doctor for brain surgery? No. Then why would you trust a lawyer who dabbles in DWI defense to handle your case?

2) How many DWI jury trials they have had?

This is important. In today’s legal system, well over 99% of cases settle, but you still need to be able to trust that your attorney has the skill and experience if your case goes to trial. It is generally accepted that the attorneys who go to trial the most, get the best results for their clients.

3) What is the total cost including trial and filing fees?

Most criminal defense attorneys charge a “flat fee” this is done so that you know exactly what the cost for the defense will be. Be wary of lawyers who charge hourly or tell you that the total fee is too complicated to determine until the evidence has been seen. An experienced DWI lawyer has handled hundreds of DWI cases, and should have a very good idea how long it will take to complete. You wouldn’t buy a car without knowing how much it will cost, so you shouldn’t hire a lawyer without know the total cost.

4) Do you guarantee results?

If the lawyer says yes, or makes promises about the outcome of your case, don’t trust them. Under the rules of professional responsibility, no lawyer can guarantee results because there are simply too many variables involved. They include who the prosecutor is, the judge and the facts of your case. The best guarantee a criminal defense lawyer can make is that they will try their best on your case.

5) Are you a certified Intoxilyzer 5000 operator?

Many “DWI lawyers” have never even seen an Intoxilyzer 5000 and if so, how can they cross-examine the police officer? Only a select few DWI Defense lawyers have committed to spend the time and money to become Intoxilyzer 5000 technicians. The only criminal defense attorney outside the Minneapolis/St. Paul area who is a certified Intoxilyzer 5000 operator is Jason Kohlmeyer, of Rosengren Kohlmeyer Law Office.

6) Do you have other attorneys available to answer questions and help if you are unavailable?

Being a trial lawyer involves being out of the office, a lot. If you hire a law firm with at least 2 DWI defense attorneys, you can rest assured that someone will be there to answer questions and fill in, in case of emergencies.

7) How often do you go in front of this Judge?

Many attorneys say they will go anywhere to handle a DWI case, but it’s important to know who the Judge is and their philosophy regarding DWI cases. Some judges are known to be prosecution-friendly, while others are known to be more lenient at sentencing. You do not want your lawyer not knowing who the Judge is.


Rosengren Kohlmeyer Law Office
201 N. Broad Street, Suite 305
Mankato, Minnesota 56001
507-625-5000
www.rokolaw.com
Using this site does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Viewing this website or sending an email message through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. An attorney-client relationship is created by a written agreement between you and our attorneys in which the attorney agrees to provide you with legal representation and you agree to pay his fee. Information sent by email may not be treated as confidential. Nothing on this website is intended to give you specific advice, everything on this site is presented by Jason Kohlmeyer of Rosengren Kohlmeyer Lawas a courtesy to the public and your case will have unique facts that this website does not and cannot factor in. An attorney should be contacted by telephone or in person as soon as possible. Revised: October 30, 2009 *not indicative of all cases, each case has it's own set off facts and own nuances, your case may end up with a better or worse result than the listed cases. All cases on file. Rosengren Kohlmeyer practices criminal defense with a very special emphasis on DWI DUI in in Mankato, St. James, Fairmont, Waseca, Olivia, St. Claire, St. Peter, Gaylord, Blue Earth, Owatonna, Albert Lea, Shakopee