Douglas Lowell Wilder

I don’t think he is a bad lawyer, but I wouldn’t recommend him. He didn’t have really good relationships/rapport with the judges/court and was pretty unorganized in my opinion which is half the battle of getting a good plea deal with a DWI. We all make mistakes, I did and take full ownership and res...ponsibility, but I don’t ever want an attorney that I paid a lot of money to plea out my case and get me what I could have gotten for a lot less money from a different subpar attorney. It actually felt like I knew more about what I should be doing to help myself than he did. Upside he did respond to most texts/calls until he was too busy or was worried he would look incompetent b/c he knew at that point I knew he wasn’t a good lawyer. Upside b/c I told him how I could help myself, my probation wasn’t as bad, but really I felt like just a number (he couldn’t even get a hearing date right - I showed up, he was very late, and then tried to blame it on the judge/court without taking ownership) and I knew I made a huge mistake hiring him. (I had been waiting for at least 45 minutes to a hour at this point before he showed up b/c I didn’t want to be late - he clearly didn’t care.). He had my money at this point. He has a sales pitch so you will retain him, but his skill level isn’t good and he hires and fires his administration assistants like they are the newest cell phone. All red flags - he’s a good family man, but if you’re smart, you’ll retain a lawyer that knows what he is doing. And just so you know - It bothers me to not be positive and write anything negative about someone who is trying to make a living for his family, but I just think DWI clients deserve better!

Over the course of another 8 - 9 months, he worked with me on a payment plan and attended all court dates diligently. Late in September, while I was prepping for work, 3 Tactical Dallas Sheriffs knocked on my door and stated they had a warrant for my arrest. According to them, I hadn't been to court ...and my bond was revoked as a result. My whole world came apart as I was fingerprinted and put through the system again. I called Doug from inside and as soon as he got word he was at the jail with proof of his attendance in court. The jail held me for another 7 hours after which they released me on a reinstated bond. When asked why this happened, being falsely imprisoned, their response was that mistakes happen and that I shouldn't have been arrested the first time. The next day, I was terminated from my job for failure to show or call. I was at an all time low but Doug kept me encouraged by vowing to do everything he could to get my case resolved as quick as possible so I could get back to work. We met again mid November at the scene of the arrest and after reviewing the dash cam footage, concluded the traffic stop that led to the arrest wasn't valid. Two weeks later, I was in court with Doug as we filed a Motion to Suppress the Traffic stop. The police officer testified that he did witness a traffic infraction, even though the dash cam showed he didn't. As Doug cross examined him I watched in marvel as he turned into a courtroom ninja. He was extremely detailed in his questioning and caught inconsistencies immediately. His approach to court procedures was spectacular to watch. Needless to say, the very next week the judge granted the Motion to Suppress thereby forcing the prosecution to Dismiss both charges. I wept when I got the news...while I understand this won't be everyone's outcome, it was mine. These two cases had haunted me. They had cost me sleep, time, flexibility and the respect of my peers. Because of Doug I stand free and clear today with joy of it being over and done with. It was certainly a learning experience, and maybe that's why it's set up the way it its. My behavior, my movements, my state of being has drastically changed since that night...but I don't think I would have achieved such growth without a lawyer like Doug in my corner. He's the best if you ever find yourself in such a predicament. It won't be easy...but he'll have your back through it all and when in court, he'll turn into the very ninja you need him to be.

I first contacted Dougs' office after I found out I had a warrant for probation violation. I was in transition back to Dallas county from Denton when I called to see about what I needed to do to end probation. I had failed an interlock test one morning on the way to work and school. I had used my wif...e's mouthwash since I was out, it was the Walmart brand so I didn't think about the alcohol. It had failed me with a .12! I didn't know how bad I failed, but I knew it would take more time for it to clear than we had. So I went ahead and let my wife drive, causing me to be automatically guilty. I decided to research decent lawyers here on Avvo after having an absolutely terrible experience with the Stanley law firm during my initial DWI. When I first called, I talked to Rebecca. What nailed me was that she seemed genuinely concerned about what happened to me. My first of many lawyers with the same firm the last time around never really listened. So I went ahead and hired them that day. Doug was late the first appointment, but I had been notified already the night before by Rebecca. Had had two major cases that morning so it wasn't a big deal to me. He was very nice, a little on the goofy side, very straightforward, and honest. Never talked down to me or like I was ignorant, like I saw a lot of attorneys do their clients at the courthouse. He also didn't take any flack from the probation office either, even fed it right back. That worries me at first, but I learned that Doug just isn't an attorney to be messed with! He told me that he would more than likely be able to get everything dropped. He immediately had the warrant gone thanks to a personal recognizance bond. Which meant I didn't have to pay any money, but could get in serious trouble for not showing to court! You'd have to be insane not to show to court! I never had to wait long for Doug to show after that day, waiting for probation to do their job was another story though! I went and had my school counselor that I had signed up for classes with that morning, write me a signed statement about how I was not intoxicated. This just wasn't enough to sway the probation officer. So Rebecca initially recommended I take a repeat victim impact panel and sign up for intensive outpatient therapy with her friend Holly Hunter. I was stubborn and didn't don't immediately because I felt like I was admitting guilt. Doug firmly re-recommended Rebecca had prior. So I finally went to the panel, turned out to be a lot more informative than my first in Denton. I also signed up with Holly Hunter. I also learned a lot from that experience as well! She was a great and interesting person that definitely left a mark on me. She too, has quite the reputation in the North Texas legal system. Once I had completed everything, I brought all my paperwork in. Doug got me right in at 9 and three minutes later, everything was dropped!!!! There was always good lines of communication between Doug, Rebecca, and I. Rebecca was always very quick to answer any question I had through the team website and by text. Even after hours she would respond asap! She loaded all of my documents into the system for me so Doug would have them on court day. So very pleased that I found them when I did. They truly went above and beyond my expectations of an attorney's office. They helped me get this giant heap of stress off of my back! If you're looking for a great attorney and legal team, look no further!!!

I had selected him for my DWI case. First offense, first legal trouble. I had 3 court appearances and he was only present for 1 (and tried to find a substitute for that appearance that was my sentencing). He seemed to be familiar with the county I had gotten trouble in, but didn't seem to want to b...e there when I thought it was necessary. Judy was extremely helpful and was a pleasure to deal with. He seemed to be more concerned with going to trial for the purpose of obtaining another retainer fee.

Doug was recommended to me by a good friend and helped me through the most stressful time of my life. Doug is personable and his professionalism, knowledge and honesty were greatly appreciated. He was very candid about the options and was responsive and gave great advice during my whole trial proces...s. In addition his assistants, were very helpful, organized and informative and every inquiry was returned promptly. I highly recommend him to anyone facing DWI charges who wants a real professional to handle any matter delicate or otherwise with a very positive outcome.