Effective DWI Representation and Client Communications

• Author: Deandra M. Grant/Kimberly Griffin Tucker
• Pages: 33-58

1-1

CHAPTER 1

EFFECTIVE DWI

REPRESENTATION AND

CLIENT COMMUNICATIONS

I. Introduction

§1:01 Client’s Options Are Limited

§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

§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)

§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

D. The Second Meeting

§1:70 Video Review and Plea Offer Meeting

Texas DWI Manual 1-2

§1:71 Client Decides to Plead

§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

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 Notifying Client About ALR Hearing Date

1-11 Letter/E-Mail with Attached ALR Documents

1-12 ALR Win Letter/E-Mail

1-13 ALR Loss Letter/E-Mail

2. ODL Letters/E-Mails

1-20 ODL Forms Transmission Letter/E-Mail

1-21 Letter/E-Mail Notifying Client About ODL Hearing Date

3. DWI Letters/E-Mails

1-31 Video Review Meeting Letter/E-Mail

1-32 Letter/E-Mail Notifying Client About Plea Date

1-33 Trial Letter

1-34 Case Dismissed or Acquittal Letter/E-Mail

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