If you are facing criminal charges in Texas, you need a legal representative who has a considerable amount of relevant experience. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to just hire the first attorney that you can find. People who are facing drunk driving charges need a Texas DWI lawyer who has a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system.
Fortunately, Texas is one of the states that makes it easier to find a high-quality attorney who has the proper skills and experience to handle a specific case. The Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) certifies attorneys who have demonstrated a high level of competence and success in a certain area of law. While Texas has no shortage of attorneys, with more than 100,000 who are actively licensed, the TBLS reports that only 7,350 lawyers are currently board-certified as specialists.
What Does Board Certification Actually Mean?
Becoming a board-certified Texas lawyer is not easy. Currently, there are 24 different specialization areas that are covered by the TBLS. In order to be certified within a certain specialization, a lawyer must be able to demonstrate a track record of success in that specific area of law.
There is a rigorous application process, and there are extensive ongoing requirements to make sure that the lawyer remains worthy of the certification. Among other things, a lawyer must meet the following criteria to be certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization:
- At least five years of legal practice;
- At least three years of ‘substantial’ involvement with a specialized area of law;
- Completion of all board-approved continuing legal education (CLE) course requirements;
- Five well-qualified, fully vetted references; and
- The ability to prove through documentation that the lawyer has sufficient experience and success.
Finally, if a lawyer is otherwise qualified, they will be administered, and must pass, a full-day specialty area exam. Only when a lawyer meets all of these requirements can they be certified as a criminal law specialist in Texas.
Why You Need a Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist for Your DWI Case
It would be a mistake to think that a DWI defense is a ‘simple’ case. Effectively handling DWI charges is a complex. A relatively minor mistake by a lawyer could lead to serious DUI/DWI penalties. You do not want to hire a defense lawyer who merely dabbles in drunk driving cases, taking on one or two of these cases a year while mostly focusing on other areas of law. To get the best legal defense, you need an attorney who has the proper specialization.
If you or a family member has been charged with drunk driving in Texas, there is a lot at stake. You need to be sure that you are represented by a well-qualified legal professional. By working with a board-certified criminal law specialist you can be sure that your attorney has relevant experience and competence dealing with the Texas criminal law system.
