Experienced Help for Your DUI Charge
If you have been charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI), one of the first steps you should take is to hire legal representation. Being charged with a DUI is very serious in every state and the laws surrounding drunk driving have become more complex. Over the past several years, more states have started imposing stiffer penalties and harsher sentencing in effort to crack down on drunk driving.
Drunk Driving Consequences
DUI convictions have many major ramifications and, if you have been charged with a DUI, you may face severe repercussions, such as losing your license, paying large fines, permanent mark on your record or possibly facing jail time. Additionally, following a DUI conviction, your automobile insurance rates may increase significantly. In many cases, insurance rates may double or triple for several years and some insurance companies may even terminate your coverage. Even after paying your fines and fulfilling your legal obligations, your DUI conviction can still negatively impact your future opportunities and haunt your life for many years.
The Advantages of Hiring a Drunk Driving Attorney
With such serious consequences, you cannot do this on your own without the help of a skilled and experienced DUI attorney to present your case in the most advantageous manner to help reduce your penalty/sentencing. There are many advantages of hiring an experienced DUI attorney. One of the most important advantages is that good DUI attorneys understand the DUI laws and the consequences of a drunk driving arrest. They are knowledgeable on the applicable DUI law, the defenses, the local practices and local prosecutors and the options related to a drunk driving case in your jurisdiction. In addition, they will be up-to-date on the latest requirements for field sobriety tests, breath tests, blood draws and sobriety check points.
They will also know what defenses carry weight with the prosecutor and which defenses do not, and therefore will be able to present your case more effectively and persuasively than someone representing him or herself. Good legal help has much better results than trying to go it alone. Even if you can’t afford to hire an attorney, a court-appointed attorney is better than representing yourself.
After being charged with driving under the influence, you must consider many important questions, such as:
- Should I hire an attorney? Should I use a public defender? Should I represent myself?
- Should I plead guilty?
- Am I eligible for plea bargaining or community service?
- Who will help me navigate through the complex legal questions?
- How can I assess my case to understand the possible consequences?
- Who can help me to understand the potential fines and possible jail time?
Browse through the attorney directory to find a DUI Attorney for your individual needs!
Why Hire a DUI Attorney?
There are many benefits of hiring an experienced DUI lawyer to represent you in a DUI case and build a good defense for you. Anyone who is charged or accused of driving under the influence should never go without a DUI attorney just to try to save money. Those who try to represent themselves will wind up paying more financially in terms of increased fines, increased car insurance rates, imposed penalties and, if facing jail time, they may spend more time in jail if they represent themselves.
Possible Short-Term Consequences of a DUI Conviction:
- Driver’s License Suspension
- Larger Fees and Fines Imposed
- High Automobile Insurance Premiums
- Possible Termination of Automobile Insurance
- Court-Mandated Community Service
- Participation in Drunk Driving Education Programs
- Participation in Treatment Programs
- Permanent Mark On Your Record
- Possibility of Facing Jail Time
Possible Long-Term Consequences of a DUI Conviction:
- Driver’s License Revocation
- Background Checks
- Professional and Personal Relationships Impacted
- Scholarship Programs
- Employment
- Auto Insurance Rate Increases
- Permanent Mark On Your Record
- Possibility of Facing Jail Time
When you consider what is at stake, you will realize that you need good legal counsel to help you build a strong case and represent you. An attorney will be better on your pocketbook because the attorney is up-to-speed on the law applicable to your case and knows what evidence to look for to present your case effectively.
