What does a DUI lawyer do?

A DUI conviction can have serious consequences. A successful DUI defense attorney will do everything in their power to get reduced, or even drop your charges. DUI lawyers help their clients by:

• Clearly explaining their rights
• Advising them on their options
• Helping with paperwork
• Negotiating plea bargains
• Representing them through any hearings

DUI Criminal Defense Lawyer

It is crucial to contact a DUI criminal defense lawyer if you are arrested for DUI. DUI convictions have many short-term and long-term effects. These can include: 

• Losing your license 
• Fines
• Completing drunk driving classes
• Immigration consequences
• A DUI on your background check can potentially limiting future job opportunities
• Loss or denial of scholarships
• Higher insurance rates
• Damage to your reputation
• Serving time in jail

A good DUI defense lawyer will do their best to protect you. Driving under the influence charges can have lasting effects personally and professionally. Do not wait. If you are facing DUI charges, get in touch with a DUI attorney now.

Legal Help for Your DUI

What Happens When You’re Arrested

When you are arrested for a DUI, you’re usually handcuffed and then arrested. You are then brought to a police station or county jail. Once you are arrested, you will be booked. Depending on the circumstances, you may remain in jail until you see a judge, be released, or you will be required to post bail. 

The DUI Arrest

There are some steps that an officer will take before arresting a driver for a DUI. These will include:

• Stopping the driver
• Requesting their license and registration
• Observing the driver for suspicious behavior
• Conducting field sobriety tests
• Determining if there are any signs of drug or alcohol consumption
• Determining the driver’s blood alcohol content
• Arresting the driver based on the results

The DMV Process

Because a DUI may result in having your license suspended or revoked, you will also need to have a DMV hearing. After an arrest, the arresting officer will contact the DMV with a notice to suspend or revoke your license. From there, you will need to schedule a DMV hearing within 10 days of your arrest to have an opportunity to save your driver license and challenge the officer’s findings. DUI defense attorneys can provide advice for a DMV hearing. 

DUI Laws

In order to fight DUI charges, you have to understand DUI laws. The legal limit in the California is 0.08% blood alcohol concentration. However, there are exceptions to this law. For example, most states have a lower legal limit for driving a commercial vehicle. You may also be arrested for a DUI if you are suspected of being under the influence of a drug or prescription medication. Additionally, you may be charged with a DUI if an officer suspects that you’re driving while being addicted to a drug. 

How to Get Out of a DUI

The best-case scenario in a DUI defense case is to get the charges dropped altogether. Usually, this is done by finding flaws in the case. This can come in many forms, but some commonly seen situations are faulty breathalyzers, medical conditions, being stopped/searched without probable cause, little or no proof of actually driving, etc. All of these situations cast doubt on the evidence and can result in the charges being dropped. 

DUI Penalties 

Penalties for a DUI may vary depending on the state. Generally speaking, a conviction means you could face many penalties ranging from heavy fines, DUI classes, and a  suspended license. Depending on any previous convictions, the amount of time you could spend in jail increases and your driver’s license could be suspended for months or even years. 

DUI Court Proceedings 

Generally speaking, the DUI court processes follow the same pattern. Usually, an arraignment will come first; this is where the charges are read, your rights are explained, and you enter a plea of not guilty. After your first hearing, there could be several court dates where your attorney gathers all the evidence against you. This is important because it allows your attorney to fully analyze all your options. Afterwards, your attorney could engage in plea bargaining or file necessary and available motions that can help your case. If charged with a felony, there could be a preliminary hearing. In a preliminary hearing, a judge will decide if there is sufficient evidence to continue to trial. If the judge decides there is enough evidence, then your case can proceed to trial, where the defendant will either be found guilty or not guilty. If the defendant is found guilty, there is a final hearing, the sentencing hearing.

Talking to a DUI lawyer is extremely important and should be done immediately. DUI convictions negatively impact one’s life, potentially for years to come. A DUI lawyer can advise you and give you much-needed help in this crucial time.