If you were charged with DWI, it is important to hire a good attorney to represent you. While you might think you can't afford to hire a good lawyer, going without one when heading to court is typically a bad idea. There are ways to secure a good DWI lawyer without the need to make a lot of money. Read on to learn how you can find a DWI attorney when you are a low-income family.

Look For Federal Finance Programs

You may not know this but there are federal programs that you can contact to help get legal representation in the event of a DWI. If you are a low-income family or person, it is possible to hire a reputable lawyer to represent you in court during your case. Instead of you paying out of your own pocket, a federal program pays the lawyer on your behalf.

It is possible you might have to pay something with some programs, but it is typically geared toward your income. It is also possible to have the entire legal fee paid through a federal program. Check online for programs, and/or ask a reputable attorney with whom you would like to work for referrals. You can usually have at least one visit with a lawyer for free.

Search For Sliding Fees

In some states, there is something called sliding fees. This means that even though you are required to pay the lawyer out of your own pocket, the fees you pay will be geared to your income. You will have to prove your income is lower in order to gain access to this program. Check online or with legal aid in your area to see whether you can qualify for this program.

Ask For A Payment Plan

If you find a good DWI attorney who is reputable and you want to work with them, ask them whether they have a payment plan in place. Many good attorneys offer payment plans to their clients in order to represent them. The lawyer may work out with you to pay an upfront fee to begin work on the case and to go to court with you, then work out a reasonable payment plan for the balance of the fees.

Look For A Pro Bono Lawyer Or Do A Trade

Another option is to contact your local law school, bar association, or legal firms to find out if there are any lawyers who will do pro bono work. You will find that some do in many cases.

You could also ask for any lawyer to accept a trade for their work. For example, if you are a contractor and can offer to renovate the lawyer's kitchen or office, or perhaps you are able to fix a plumbing problem they have at their house in trade for their services, you might be able to secure legal representation in exchange for your work.

Learn more by reaching out to a law firm such as LoTempio P.C. Law Group.