If you have found yourself charged with a DUI, you are going to need to go to court, and this is not something that you want to do on your own. Even though you do technically have the right to defend yourself in court, it is not usually something that people are advised to do. If you have never retained an attorney, or ever faced a DUI charge, you will want to continue reading. This way, you can get better insight as to why you need to retain a DUI defense lawyer for your upcoming day in court.
You May Be Able To Dispute The Charges
If you were not under the influence at the time of your ticket and arrest, you may want to find a lawyer that can help dispute the charges that have been brought against you. For example, if the arresting officer had a breathalyzer that was malfunctioning or if they didn't even use anything to record your supposed level of intoxication, then your lawyer may be able to fight this case so that the charges are dropped. Also, your lawyer will look into the reason for the officer to pull you over in the first place. If the officer did not have just cause to pull you over, all charges may be able to be dropped due to a technicality.
You Might Be Able To Get A Lighter Sentence
Whether you end up pleading guilty or you are found guilty after pleading your innocence, you are going to receive a sentence from the judge. This will be the punishment that you must adhere to. It can include jail time and fines. However, if this is your first offense or if you were just barely over the legal limit of alcohol consumption, your lawyer might be able to work a deal with the judge so you only get a fine and maybe some community service hours. It still won't be fun, but it will be much better than sitting in jail.
You should now have a much easier time seeing the importance of hiring a DUI defense lawyer. You simply now have to spend a little time making sure that you are going to have the best lawyer for your case. To do this, you will want to set up a consultation meeting with at least two or three lawyers. This gives you the chance to consult various legal professionals to get their take on your case and to discuss what their fees are. If you are unable to afford to hire a private lawyer, you could search for one that can do the work pro bono.
Share7 August 2019
My name is Noni. When I was in college, I was hit by a car while crossing the street. My life was never in danger, but I did break a few bones and had a lot of huge medical bills. I was hoping I wouldn't have to get involved with an attorney, but unfortunately, it came down to that. I used a family friend who is an accident attorney to get some compensation. A few years later, I was hit while riding my bike and had to go through the same process. I suppose I'm lucky to be alive. And it's thanks to accident attorneys that I have been able to put my life back together. I started this blog as a way to let others know just how much lawyers can help you in certain situations.