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Posted By AUTHOR Mike Bannan on 10/01/2023 in Law Tips

Why Should You Hire a DUI Defense Lawyer?

Why Should You Hire a DUI Defense Lawyer?

If you’ve been charged with a DUI or DWI, it’s important to take it seriously and consider hiring a DUI Lawyer. Whether it’s your first charge or you’ve been in this spot before, a DUI is a criminal offense, and a conviction can have broad implications for your future. A drunk driving defense attorney may save you from yourself.

When you’re facing criminal charges, representing yourself in court is never a good idea. The bottom line is that having the representation of an experienced DUI defense lawyer can mean the difference between struggling with a criminal record for the rest of your life – or not. 

How Serious is a Drunk Driving Charge?

How serious is a DWI or DUI? Very! If you think a DUI is no big deal, think again. It’s the job of police and prosecutors to keep drunk drivers off the roads, and most states take drunk driving very seriously. A drunk driving conviction can cost thousands of dollars along with other severe consequences, maybe even jail.

Driving over your state’s legal limit for blood alcohol content can result in one of many criminal charges depending on your blood alcohol level and criminal history. Even as a first-time offender, you can be looking at a combination of heavy fines, court costs, a loss of driving privileges, points against your driving record, and even jail time. 

What Are the Consequences of a Criminal DUI Conviction?

A DUI conviction will result in a criminal record that can follow you for the rest of your life. And this can have some broad-ranging consequences.

  • You may be placed on probation with ongoing alcohol testing at your expense, have to complete a professional alcohol or drug evaluation, pay for an ignition interlock device installed on your car, or be ordered to undergo costly inpatient substance abuse treatment.
  • A misdemeanor or felony DUI conviction will show up on all your future background checks. It can seriously impact your ability to get a job, a place to live, future credit, and many other things.
  • You may lose your driver's license, impacting your freedom to drive and your ability to work.
  • You can expect to pay significantly higher auto insurance rates after a DWI or  DUI conviction. 
  • Your DUI conviction can stain your reputation and even prevent you from holding some professional positions.

With these kinds of consequences, facing the court system without legal guidance is never a good idea. Getting the help of a skilled local DUI lawyer who understands the laws and is experienced with the local court system ensures your best chances of avoiding serious consequences. 

What are the Advantages of Having a DUI Lawyer?

When you’re facing drunk driving charges, it’s not just your word against the police or breathalyzer. In fact, an experienced DUI lawyer may have several available defense options available depending on the facts of your case. 

Your lawyer will

  • Thoroughly investigate your case and consider possible defense strategies.

  • Look at the variables of the arrest and consider how they may affect your defense – Your lawyer will look at whether the police stop and arrest was legal and whether proper procedures were followed. Was there probable cause? Was there sufficient evidence of impairment? Was appropriate testing equipment used? Was the equipment calibrated properly? Were there any irregularities in the police report? 

  • Negotiate with prosecutors to arrange a plea deal to minimize charges or discuss alternatives to jail time 

  • Have in-depth knowledge of and experience with local law enforcement officers, court procedures, prosecutors, and judges 

  • Prepare you for court and advise you what to say – and what not to say

  • Get a criminal conviction expunged from your record – In some cases, a minor DUI can be expunged from your record, but the process can be difficult and certainly impossible without an experienced DUI defense attorney.

Having legal expertise on your side is invaluable when you’re facing criminal DUI charges. A DWI DUI lawyer’s job is to protect your legal rights and create a defense strategy with the goal of obtaining a not-guilty verdict or getting your charges dismissed or minimized. This is something the average person won’t be able to do for themselves. 

How Do You Find the Right Drunk Driving Defense Lawyer?

The consequences of a DUI can upend your life, but with the right DUI defense, your charges can be minimized or dropped altogether. If you’ve been charged with drunk driving, you should begin looking for the best local DUI lawyer as soon as possible. But finding the right DUI attorney can be complicated. Many lawyers will advertise themselves as drunk driving lawyers, but you want someone with significant DUI experience and a proven track record in your area. 

At Reach Local Lawyers, we are a free lawyer referral service with an extensive database of experienced local DUI defense lawyers who can protect your rights after a drunk driving charge. Compare DUI attorneys and get the right representation for you. Use our legal match system where you can compare lawyers. Contact us and learn more about how we can help you find the best lawyer for your needs.

Disclosure:

This website is designed to provide only general information. The information presented on this website is not formal legal advice. You should not rely on any general information from any source for making legal decisions. Each legal matter is unique and requires specific attention from a qualified and experienced attorney. Reach Local Lawyers is not a law firm.