If you’re embroiled in a difficult DWI defense case, you may begin to feel anxious, stressed, and perhaps even depressed. People often struggle to navigate the ups and downs of the legal process. Not only is the process purposely protracted, but it also induces feelings of frustration, agitation, nervousness, and fear. If you’re stressed about your upcoming or ongoing DWI case, use this insight to feel more comfortable with the process.
1. Stay in Close Contact with Your Lawyer
You should have a trusting relationship with your attorney. If you don’t, don’t hire them, or find another one if you’ve already hired them. Your lawyer should keep you in the loop about all the new developments regarding your case, especially the positive ones. Instead of making you feel more stressed, this will help you feel reassured as you’ll understand how well your case is shaping up.
2. Reach Out to Your Friends and Family
This can be tricky if you’re trying to keep your DWI arrest confidential. But when you’re going through this stressful process, it really helps to have people whom you trust close to you to reassure you. When it comes to fighting stress regarding a personal situation, we, as humans, often tend to overthink things. By sitting down with a friend or family member, you’ll get a chance to vent about the case and get some much-needed assurance.
But don’t let the situation take over your life; you still have one to live. Friends and family are great to talk with about other things. It may be difficult, especially in the early stages of your case, but you cannot dwell on your case 24/7. Trust that you’re in capable hands and your lawyer is doing the best job she can.
3. Seek Group Counseling
It’s easy to feel like you’re a bad person for getting arrested for DWI. There is a public shame associated with both being convicted and being charged, but remember that you are innocent until proven guilty. Are there things you could have done differently? Of course, but there is literally nothing you can do to change the past.
Going to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings can help in three ways:
First, it allows you to share your experiences in a safe, anonymous environment with other people who may be going through similar situations.
Second, it demonstrates to the court that you are concerned and are addressing a potential issue that you may have with alcohol. The fact that you are going to AA meetings should be shared with the court as part of your defense.
Third, you will be connected with other resources that can help you understand your situation better. This could be professional counseling or social events that don’t serve alcohol.
4. Seek Professional Counseling
A professional psychologist can help you sort through your emotions and concerns as you go through the legal process. They can also go deeper into your arrest to help you understand if you indeed have an issue with alcohol or drugs. This therapy and discovery process either gives you peace of mind that you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, or gives you insight that you may be dealing with substance abuse issues and didn’t know it. Now is the time you can address them and heal.
Are you looking for a relentless DWI lawyer in Houston? Attorney JL Carpenter should be your first call. She builds a strong defense for her clients facing criminal charges, including drug possession, family violence, and domestic violence, among others. She practices in the Greater Houston area, including Friendswood, Clear Lake, Galveston, and the neighboring communities. Click here to schedule a consultation today!