Caveat Emptor: Buyer beware of free legal advice on the internet
The beauty of the internet is that you can find out everything you need to know, on any subject, including legal topics such as DWI, with just a few clicks. The danger is that free advice is often not worth what you pay for it.
[Yes, as an aside, I’m aware that the purpose of my site is to educate folks arrested in Texas for DWI about the law, and that I don’t charge anything to come here. I suppose that’s why lawyers post disclaimers.]
I ran across the AllExperts site today, and found their “Drunk Driving” section. Most questions are answered by a Michigan lawyer, who appears to cut and paste a stock response of “I don’t practice law in your state, find a lawyer who does”, or “Call me, because your case is in Michigan”. Not too helpful.
However the site also allows for anyone (including non-lawyers) to answer the questions posed, and this is a typical back and forth:
Question: My brother is 18 and just got pulled over in Nevada for drunk driving; they also found marijuana in the car. (Significant amount not sure how much though.) I'm wondering if jail time is a possibility?
Answer: Yes. I would say jail time is possible. I would have to say he needs to speak to a lawyer. I would also say he probably would want to plead it out, yet he should talk to a lawyer. He needs help. Drunk driving and drugs. You should get him help for those two problems. I don't know your state's time with how long people go to jail for the above. You need to ask a lawyer.
Wow. Except for the “ask a (real) lawyer” part that’s just terrible “advice”. It’s clear that the writer answering the question skips over any possibility of the defendant being not guilty of DWI. Or guilty, but not provably guilty. Or eligibility for probation. Or the chance of completing the recommended alcohol counseling in return for a reduction to a non-DWI charge. Or many other possible outcomes.
Most competent DWI lawyers will offer a free consultation, either in person or on the telephone. In person is always better. In my opinion, it allows the client to properly evaluate the attorney, and find out whether they will be a good fit. Don’t trust anyone who won’t talk to you about the facts of your case, and only wants to talk to you about their fee.
And don’t put too much stock into the free advice forums available on the internet.
Read through and enter the discussion with the form at the end
