Effective DWI Representation and Client Communications

• Author: Deandra M. Grant/Kimberly Griffin Tucker
• Pages: 39-68

REPRESENTATION &

COMMUNICATIONS

1-1

CHAPTER 1

EFFECTIVE DWI REPRESENTATION

AND CLIENT COMMUNICATIONS

I. INTRODUCTION

§1:01 Public Perception

§1:02 Why a Plea Should Be a Last Resort

II. THE INITIAL CLIENT INTERVIEWAKA GETTING HIRED

A. The Initial Phone Call

§1:10 Listen

§1:11 Safe Advice Your Staff Can Give

§1:12 Information Your Staff Should Get

§1:13 Close the Deal!

B. The First Consultation—Walking in the Door

§1:20 Initial Tasks: Greeting the Client and Getting the File Started

§1:21 Eliciting Information about the DWI and Client’s History

§1:22 Discussing the DWI

§1:23 Discussing ALR and ODL/IIL

§1:24 Considering Expunction of Priors

§1:25 Setting a Goal

§1:26 Discussing Fees and Services

III. OFFICE PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING THE DWI

A. ALR Representation

§1:40 Requesting the Hearing and Discovery

§1:41 The ALR Date Is Set

§1:42 ALR Discovery

B. Occupational Driver’s License (ODL) or Ignition Interlock License (IIL)

§1:50 Verifying Eligibility

§1:51 Applying for the ODL

C. The DWI

§1:60 Court File Review

§1:61 DA File Reviews

§1:62 Videotape Retrieval

§1:63 Plea Negotiation

REPRESENTATION &

COMMUNICATIONS

Texas DWI Manual 1-2

D. The Disposition Meeting

§1:70 Review the Evidence

§1:71 Client Decides to Enter Into a Plea Agreement

§1:72 Client Decides to Go to Trial

§1:73 Closing the File

IV. FORMS

A. DWI Representation

1-1 Conf‌idential DWI Client Questionnaire

1-2 Fee Agreement – Initial Representation

1-2A Recurring Payment Authorization

1-2B Recurring Payment Authorization by Third Party

1-2C Fee Agreement – Trial Preparation

1-3 DWI Checklist

1-4 ALR Docket Sheet

1-5 DWI Docket Sheet

B. Client Letters/E-Mail

1. ALR

1-10 Letter/E-Mail Notif ying Client About ALR Hearing Date

1-11 ALR Win Letter/E-Mail

1-12 ALR Loss Letter/E-Mail

2. DWI Letters/E-Mails

1-31 Video Review Meeting Letter/E-Mail

1-32 Letter/E-Mail Notif ying Client About Plea Date

1-33 Trial Letter

1-34 Case Dismissed or Acquittal Let ter/E-Mail

1-35 Letter/E-Mail Closing the Client File