The face of DUI charges has changed considerably over the past few decades. Once, DUI was a relatively minor offense, unless someone was injured as the result. Cases rarely made news and the penalties were limited to fines and possible DUI classes. However, that has changed dramatically today. Now, DUI cases carry severe consequences, the possibility of long jail sentences, incredibly steep fines and the distinct possibility that you will lose your driver's license.
If you have been arrested for DUI, you may be wondering if an attorney is required. Can't you represent yourself in trial? If you do choose a lawyer, won't any lawyer be as good as another? Hiring an attorney is the very first thing that you should do once you have been arrested. However, not just any attorney will do. You must ensure that you hire an expert DUI attorney, who has the experience and the knowledge required to mitigate the outcome of your case.
Why do you need a DUI attorney?
Simply put, your attorney is the only person standing between you and harsh punishment for a crime that you may not have even committed. If you only had a drink or two, you may be under the false impression that the court will have leniency in your case. This is not so. The court will aggressively pursue the harshest punishment possible.
An experienced DUI attorney can prevent the worst from happening. In fact, an expert DUI lawyer may even be able to have your DUI case dismissed, under certain circumstances. What can a lawyer help you prove? An expert DUI lawyer will look for errors in:
- Breathalyzer test administration
- Testing equipment calibration
- Field sobriety test administration
- Chemical test administration
- The initial traffic stop
- Errors in arrest procedure
How do you choose a DUI attorney?
What makes one lawyer or law firm a better choice than another? This is a simple matter of research. How many DUI cases has the lawyer tried? How many acquittals has he or she been able to attain? What types of results have the majority of their cases received? How much experience and education in the field of DUI does the attorney have? All of these questions must be answered to make the correct choice in legal representation.
The right choice can help you keep your driver's license and avoid jail time. In addition, the correct choice can help you get your case dropped due to incorrect procedures on the part of the arresting officer or the police system, as a whole. Do not leave your DUI defense up to chance; ensure that you have the legal representation that you need and the legal counsel required to understand the consequences that you face.
