Richard Walker | Saint Louis Criminal Lawyer

Lawyer.com asked me to answer a few questions which can be found below. I think that it gives some insight to my thought process in the defense of DWI's and other Criminal Matters.

Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
I handle mostly DWI cases and in those cases defendants are always faced with the possibility of losing their licenses. This of course can result in a great deal of hardship due to having to drive for their daily commute to work and home, among other things. I am successful where many other attorneys are not in this area. Because I do the work that is required to flush out many seemingly minuscule, but quite important facts, I regularly win these license cases. I request and review video files from both the officer and/or patrol car and the jail videos. There are many things that officers must do in order to properly suspend or revoke a license. Additionally, I am able to use the information used in the license cases to assist me in the resolution of the criminal cases of the same matter. So in other words, I do the work that is necessary to win a DWI case. Most attorneys that I come across simply do not believe that this is possible and therefore never even try. I take cases with the expectation of winning them.

How did you build a successful practice?
I am still building but I think that referral business is an absolute must. That shows that I am doing a great job. If one of my clients, or previous clients refer me to their friends or family that may be in need of my services, speaks volumes. It says that they like and approve of what I am doing or have done for them and they are suggesting to others that they trust me to do the same for them. It is one of the best compliments you can receive.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?
Clients should look for someone that they can relate to and trust. The last thing that you want is to put your future in the hands of someone that you do not trust or feel comfortable with. They should also look for someone who is going to go out and do what is needed to win or at least get the best results they can. What you do not want is a lawyer that is going to take your money and do the least possible and then move on.

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
I think that it is important but it is not a be all end all. That being said, I have practiced all over the state of Missouri in many courthouses and in front of many judges. I still get good results no matter where I am. However, having a good relationship with the prosecutors in local courts is not a bad thing. I practice mainly in St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson, Franklin, Lincoln, Warren, and Pike Counties here in Missouri and I know most of the prosecutors in all of those counties.

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
First of all, I can usually put a worried potential client at ease of their situation. Most people call and they are scared of a process that they know very little about and do not know what is going to happen. I do a great job of explaining things to them in a manner in which they can understand. I was a police officer for over 14 years and I know how to talk to people. I tell them what is going to happen and in what order it is going to happen. I tell them exactly what it is that I am going to do for them and the likely outcome based on past experience and knowing what certain courts and prosecutors typically do in that situation. Clients typically hang up feeling better about their situation than they did before they spoke with me.

What information do you need in a free phone consultation?
I want them to explain to me exactly what happened through the entire contact with the police. This gives me the opportunity to begin thinking of defenses and possible issues to look for and focus on if they should decide to hire me. Additionally, I would need some personal information so that I can get at least a driving record as some prior offenses can effect new charges.

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
My experience with DWI defense. There are only a few other lawyers in the community that can claim that they were law enforcement prior to becoming an attorney; however, I am the only one that was on a DWI task force for nearly a decade. I have also previously worked for one of the best DWI Defense attorneys in the state. My knowledge in this field is among the top.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Helping people that simply made a mistake.

• National Trial Lawyers Top 100
  National College for DUI Defense
  Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
  St. Louis County Bar Association
  Jefferson County Bar Association

• Deputy of the Year, St. Charles County Deputy Sheriff's Association, 2007

• Attorney Richard Walker has original charge of DWI amended to Careless and Imprudent Driving.

  Client, who was active duty military, was stopped by a municipal officer for driving 79 mph in a 60 mph zone. Client also came to a stop in the fast lane of traffic before being directed to the shoulder of the highway. Officer reported a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage, watery and bloodshot eyes, and swaying balance. Client failed the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, as well as the walk and turn and one leg stand tests. Client took a PBT which indicated over the legal limit. Client was arrested and refused to take an evidentiary breath test.

  After speaking with the prosecuting attorney and pointing out critical flaws with the stop and arrest, client was offered reduced charge of C & I.

  NOTE: The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertisements. Past results afford no guarantee of future results. Every case must be judged on its own merits.

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