In 2014, more than one million people were arrested for driving under the influence. If you drive under the influence, then there’s a good chance that you’re going to get caught. And if you get caught, the arrest could end up affecting you for many years to come.
Unfortunately, you can’t go back in time and stop yourself from driving drunk. But by hiring a DUI lawyer, you may be able to fight the case, accept a better plea deal, or show that there were other circumstances that need to be taken into consideration.
Many people hesitate to hire a DUI lawyer because they fear it’ll just be another item in a long line of expenses and headaches. However, if you can afford it, and if you have a promising case in front of you, it can definitely be worth it.
So continue reading and we’ll walk you through how a DUI lawyer can help you to fight the DUI charge in the courtroom.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
A DUI is a serious offense that can impact your future and your employment. If you have no legal experience, then it can be difficult for you to be able to tell just how strong or weak your DUI case is. DUI laws can be complex and are constantly changing.
Because of all of this, it can be extremely valuable for you to get the opinion of an experienced DUI lawyer. Many DUI lawyers will give potential clients a free consultation. However, even if you need to pay a small fee, the cost is almost always worth it.
You should bring your police report and other important documents to the consultaiton so you can make the most effective use of your time.
While you don’t need to hire a lawyer that you consult with, it can still be helpful to meet them in person to get a sense of how they work.
Blood-Alcohol Level Determines Guilt
If your blood-alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit, then you can be found guilty of a DUI. In the United States, every state except for Utah has a BAC limit of .08. In Utah, the limit is set at .05.
If you were given a BAC test at the time of the arrest, and you had a level higher than .08, then your case may not be that strong. You may very well be convicted and have to pay all of the necessary fines.
With that said, your case isn’t totally lost.
Breath and blood tests aren’t perfect. Your lawyer will be able to look at the results of these tests and analyze them. If a breathalyzer wasn’t properly operated and maintained, or certain procedures weren’t followed at the lab, then your test results might be dismissed and not considered as evidence.
It’s also important to note that your BAC naturally rises over time. If your breath test was taken hours after you were arrested, then it will show a higher BAC than your actual levels were when you were driving.
Investigating Your Arrest
It’s important that you find a DUI lawyer who has experience in this area. An experienced attorney will know what to look for and they will be able to spot any problems with the procedures that the police followed.
If an officer improperly pulled your car over, or if they didn’t follow the appropriate procedure for arresting you, then there’s a chance that your case will be completely dismissed. Police officers make mistakes all the time and an experienced attorney will be able to comb through everything to see if your case was handled correctly.
Also, if the officer didn’t tell you that refusing to take a breathalyzer was a crime until after you were arrested, then that can also help your case.
Negotiating on Your Behalf
The prosecution will most likely be trying to get a guilty plea out of your before trial. They may very well try to pressure you into cutting a deal. Doing so would make their jobs much easier.
As an individual, it can be very intimidating to negotiate with a prosecutor, especially if you don’t even know what all of your rights are. Thankfully, a DUI lawyer can handle the negotiations on your behalf.
Based on whatever evidence is available, your lawyer will be able to show the weaknesses that are in the case against you. The weaker the lawyer can make the case out to be, the better the deal you can expect to get.
If you won’t be able to get an outright dismissal, your lawyer may still help to convert your DUI charges into something less severe. This is especially true if you don’t have any prior history of driving under the influence.
Your attorney might be able to get you a lesser charge, such as a wet reckless driving charge. Your lawyer can also help argue for a lesser punishment, like no jail time or a smaller fine. They can also help ensure that you retain your driving privileges.
The Importance of Knowing How a DUI Lawyer Can Help You With a DUI Charge
Being charged with a DUI can be scary, intimidating, and overwhelming. This is why it’s so important to retain the services of a DUI lawyer who is experienced and knowledgeable. This way, you can make sure that your rights are protected and that your interests are being looked after.
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