Why I Enjoy DWI Defense

I was a police officer from 1978 until I left the Austin Police Department in 1990 to attend Law School at the University of Texas. During the years I spent on the streets in a patrol car, I saw a lot of people being arrested for DWI that I didn’t think were intoxicated. I wonder how many of those people pled guilty when represented by an uninformed attorney? I also wonder how many of these people were advised to enter a plea of guilty or no contest by a lawyer who should have fought and won the case?!!

With the training, experience, knowledge and information that I have gained in this field, I now realize that many of the arrests I made for DWI, should have never happened. I am also aware of the many people I arrested that hired a lawyer who simply walked them up to the judge and entered a plea of guilty. I know that many of them should have taken the case to trial and they should have won the case.

Responding to Criticism

Folks you want to drink then stay home or get a ride -CITY SEARCH REVIEW

04/06/2008 Posted by commonsense08

Mr. Jamie Balagia!! Of course people that pay YOU very good MONEY to keep them from taking responsibility for their DWI. They're going to say good things about you. However I don't know you, nor do I really want to, because you yourself represent bad behavior by representing folks that need to do TIME for their choices that puts others at risk or their graves. You and lawyers like wise are the problem when it comes to this subject of DWI and not the solution. Why is it that DWI’S are ok with you people? There are to many folks on the road now that can't drive and those that make the choice to drink and drive can’t drive without causing death or harm to other people. How in the world can you lawyers defend an action that is just plain wrong? Oh wait, it’s the MONEY how dumb of me. Here’s my advice Mr. Balagia, do something that one can respect for a change, instead of posing for a picture in the local newspaper that’s seems to be worried about his BIG FAT PAYCHECK at the expense of victims on the road, that are NOT out drinking and driving.

Response from Jamie Balagia...

It appears that you and I are viewing a related subject from two different perspectives.  You apparently think that every person arrested for DWI is guilty - without a trial, without competent and professional legal advice and worse of all, without the protections of our Constitutional Rights!  I am a former police officer and fully understand that most citizens don't have the foggiest idea or understanding of these rights.  Most folks accused of DWI are ordinary citizens that happened to "drink and drive" which is not against the law.  Not all of them are intoxicated but they have consumed an alcoholic beverage to some degree.  You seem to follow the thinking that if you drink and drive you are a "bad person" and you are guilty.  I'm sorry to see that in your writing.  Our Constitutional Rights are not God given rights, our forefathers fought and died to obtain them.  Today, our bravest are fighting and dying to help the citizens of Iraq to have these same freedoms.  I am always baffled at the ease with which we Americans give away these precious rights.  You present yourself as one that believes in the theory of "guilty UNTIL proven innocent" and that is the more frightening argument to deal with.  The day that I or any other attorney is intimidated or bullied by the outcry of the victims will be a sad day for American justice.  The state has every benefit in the courtroom due to federal, state and local funding in the "war against drinking and driving".  There are DWI task forces, DWI Step programs, DWI courts and an army of programs that are fed by the unending ranks of those who can't afford to pay a "BIG FAT PAYCHECK" lawyer who can effectively fight against junk science and the continuing attacks on our freedom from MADD.  Add in the subjective decisions of police officers who make a ton of overtime going to court on DWIs and there is plenty of room for abuse against the citizen.  More importantly is the question: why should we deny the same legal rights to a person accused of DWI that are guaranteed to an accused rapist or murderer?  And what about the innocent that are wrongly convicted.  Have you ever spoken out on their behalf?

Lastly, I don't support "drunks" driving on our roads, they could kill or injure themselves or my family.  I don't drink as a personal decision and have been responsible for more of my fellow citizens getting  treatment (when needed) than most folks I know.   But I am troubled by people who rail from the sidelines but fail to support programs that help to heal those with substance abuse problems.  It seems that convictions are more important than actually helping people.  When I was a youngster I always heard that you don't kick someone when they're down, you help them up.  Please try to be part of the solution and I do support your right to speak out with your opinion even if I disagree with it.

If you are looking for an exceptionally trained and educated, DWI / DUI attorney to aggressively represent you on your DWI case or any criminal matter, call 512.278.0935 (Austin) or 210-DWI-DUDE (210.394.3833) (San Antonio) or contact me by e-mail at jamie@dwidude.com

If I am in trial, my personal assistant Ashley Nichols can assist you.
Click here for an immediate response: ashley@dwidude.com