Anyone reading about lawyers should want to know the results first. Mark Thiessen took on a case that was beset with difficulties all along the way and got a dismissal.
That's a home run once charges are filed.
When bad luck struck, I already knew the lawfirm I would contact: T & M was succ...essful in dismissing three friends' DWIs (3 for 3) so their reputation preceded them.
Lawyers monitor and evaluate the progress of their fellow law firms and peers vigilantly. Yet still, some of the details of progression of the individual lawyer can be easily overlooked under the shadow of the "Firm name" they work for.
What I found out when Mark Thiessen became counsel for my case was that right under my nose he had become amongst the elite lawyers in criminal defense; especially handling DWI claims.
When you face criminal charges, it is an understatement to say you want a lawyer that is supremely confident and utterly fearless... If they fear trial then no DA will ever fear them.
Mark has shown a willingness to take his cases to trial... and the ability to win them as the rule and not the exception. He must be nearing or over 20 trial wins with less losses than he can count on one hand.
The importance of this cannot be underestimated.
From the beginning he kept even a lawyer like me at ease in a stressful situation... He has that intangible in inspiring his clients' confidence in him.
This does not mean he will blow smoke where the sun doesn't shine. To a lawyer that has the opposite effect.
He gives it to you straight at each phase of the litigation that, based on the evidence and other factors at work, what he sees as the most favorable outcomes and explains how he plans to get there.
He knows his turf. He knows how each judge operates, which courts have which DAs- who can be reasoned with, who are the stronger and weaker trial attorney DAs, what willingness they have shown to be flexible.
He knows his law. No matter what the circumstances surrounding your case should be, he will not fail to raise the appropriate motions to give you as much as the law allows in the process.
While some have settled with suspended licenses he petitioned for restrictive measures that would still allow me to drive freely if I didn't abuse the privilege.
Once all the evidence had come in and it was time for the DA to make a decision as to whether to take my case to trial or dismiss it, in hindsight I will admit that the decision was a borderline-close call that could have gone either way for the DA.
As a lawyer I am keenly aware of the reasons they decided to dismiss the charges against me.
(1) Thiessen not only is willing to but enjoys taking cases to trial.
If you hire a criminal attorney, you better hire one that likes "the fight". DAs like the fight and will bully on any lawyer that is shy to match that willingness.
(2) When Thiessen does fight, he usually wins.
When the DAs see any reasonable doubt in the case, they know which lawyers will take that and run with it. The DAs see enough cases to know how it will be likely to end up given the case and the lawyer. Most DAs in this county have been on the losing end of a trial against him. DAs know that if it is a "borderline" case, odds are he will find a way to win it come trial.
(3) Thiessen shows respect and courtesy to his adversary
No matter how good a criminal lawyer may be if he does not show the DAs and the court respect then they will not give any client a break... They will keep fighting you because they like the fight and they hate your lawyer. Thiessen gave them reasonable and sensible reasons why their case had weaknesses and because he has maintainted a rapport of respect and honesty with them, they listened.
--- Anyone who will ever ask me "I have a DWI charge, who should I call?" so long as Thiessen is practicing will get the same answer. There's too much on the line to fool yourself into thinking any attorney will do the same job, or attorney X or Y could do just as well.
I watch attorneys daily. I'