Seeking out the guidance of a Board Certified lawyer is always recommended if you’re going up against serious charges, such as intoxication manslaughter or a 2nd DWI, 3rd DWI, or 4th DWI in Houston. Since there are very few Board Certified lawyers in Texas, a Board Certified criminal defense lawyer in Houston is considered to be among the best of the best, a specialist, and an expert within their field.
In fact, a lawyer is not even allowed to claim to be a specialist or an expert in any area unless they are officially board-certified. So if you’re working with a lawyer claiming to be a Board Certified DWI specialist like Mark Thiessen, then you can rest easy knowing that you are working with a lawyer who truly specializes in DWI defense.
But how does a lawyer become Board Certified and what are the benefits of hiring one? Let’s take a few moments to cover the question “What is a Board Certified specialist?” and understand why these specialists can make such a difference in a legal battle.
How do you become a Board Certified attorney?
To become Board Certified in criminal law or another area of expertise, attorneys are required to go through a series of steps that can be broken down into two parts: application and examination.
The application process
A lawyer who wishes to become Board Certified has to actively initiate the process. This is not something where a lawyer would be recognized from afar and then given something similar to an award. They must apply on their own and prove their talent, education, and successes to the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS).
Here’s what’s involved in the application process:
- All applicants must pay an application fee
- All applicants must be in good standing
- All applicants must show that they regularly pursue education within their given specialty (or specialties)
- All applicants must find qualified and professional references
- All applicants must provide examples of trial success stories
- All applicants must disclose any instances of professional misconduct
- All applicants must be approved by the board before taking the required exam
Examination & counsel review process
After being approved to take the attorney examination, they must pay the exam fee and take the day-long exam. This examination is very difficult and only a handful of people pass.
The candidate must then prove their expertise to a counsel. Candidates must showcase their dedication to evolving and growing as a leader in their area of expertise. This requires a set number of hours to be devoted to seminars and educational opportunities every few years. This also means that Board Certified lawyers are usually very up-to-date with new tactics and trends — which can definitely come in handy when it comes to court proceedings and more.
Upon being certified, they are recognized by other experts as a fellow expert.
Looking for an attorney that’s Board Certified in criminal law?
Mark Thiessen of Thiessen Law Firm is considered one of the top criminal lawyers in Houston and, more specifically, one of the best DWI lawyers in Houston.
Not only has he been listed as one of the top 100 lawyers in Houston, but he’s also the only lawyer in America who is Triple Board Certified in the following categories:
- Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- DUI Defense by the National College for DUI Defense as approved through the American Bar Association
- DUI Law by the DUI Defense Lawyers Association
With these Board certifications, Mark Thiessen has proven himself an expert-level criminal defense attorney and a recognized DWI specialist capable of helping you or your loved one with a variety of criminal law issues and complicated legal challenges, including but not limited to:
- How to overcome intoxication manslaughter in Houston
- How to avoid being tricked by the police
- How to fight a DWI in Texas
- How to get a possession charge dismissed
Aside from legal issues with DWIs, Thiessen Law Firm is also dedicated to helping Texans overcome legal challenges regarding child custody, aggravated assault, personal injury, Father’s rights, and more.
If you’re interested in learning more about our specialties at Thiessen Law Firm, we’d love to talk. Give us a call or send us a message to start a conversation today.
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