How do I find a competent attorney in a state in which we do not live?

A qualified attorney can be hard to locate from a distance.  The basic steps should be to research attorneys who handle that kind of case to begin with.  Look for attorneys who have experience handling alcohol related cases.  You should then ask for a few moments of their time on the phone to speak with them and see if there is a rapport you can establish. You can try contacting the local prosecutors office and inquiring what the typical resolution to this kind of case is.  There are some prosecutors who will talk to you or your daughter about what would be expected.  You should obviously avoid making any admissions at that time.  Lastly, these kinds of cases are fairly complicated and extensive when you start drilling into which legal presumptions are permissible under the statute.  Many college students have just gone to court and acknowledged guilt, and that is one way to handle things.  It is not the way I would recommend (but I am an attorney).  One has to consider that these student's are frequently pleading guilty to criminal offenses resulting in the possibility of criminal convictions; not what I would want for my child just coming out of college in this job market.  Hope that helps.  Please feel free to contact me with any further follow up that you might have.