Lawyers promise that they may be able to. DUI is a serious offense that can affect your future and employment. Most lawyers will tell you that you need to hire a lawyer who focuses on defending drunk drivers. Attorneys promise that they may be able to save your driving licence or get your drunk driving charge reduced or dismissed.
The key is the word may. Most dui lawyers give potential clients a free consultation. But even if you have to pay a small fee, it is likely to be money well spent. Bring your police report and any other case documents you have to the consultation to make the best use of your time.
It may also be helpful to bring a list of questions you want answered. You are not required to hire an attorney for a DUI. However, you should not rely on a public defender to defend you. Public defenders have an enormous workload, so it is unlikely that they will be able to devote the amount of time needed for your case.
It can be difficult to decide whether or not to hire an attorney if you have been charged with a DUI. On the one hand, a lawyer can help defend you against less solid charges or when the stakes are especially high. On the other hand, you don't want to spend all that money for something you think you can do yourself with a little elbow grease and determination. But, considering the consequences of a DUI conviction, it's usually a good idea to at least consult with a local DUI lawyer.
After all, the attorney will be much more knowledgeable about local DUI laws and how best to defend against the charges. This is especially important for a DUI because the consequences of pleading guilty can last for years. So what, exactly, would you plead guilty to in such a case? Typically, reckless driving will be the lesser charge; but some states - including California - also have what is called wet reckless, which recognizes impairment but carries a lighter sentence than DUI with no jail time. The following information will help you determine if you need a lawyer after being charged with a DUI.
This is especially because if you are arrested again for DUI in the future and you already have a prior offense on your record, the consequences that take effect will automatically be more devastating to your life. As such, if you have been charged with a DUI, you should immediately contact an experienced DUI attorney to represent you and have the charges against you dismissed or reduced to a misdemeanor. The DUI attorneys at The H Law Group have extensive experience defending those who have been charged with drunk driving. A first time DUI can be dismissed in some cases, however, most of the time the prosecution has enough evidence to convict a person of a DUI.
DUI causing injury, fourth time DUI, vehicular manslaughter, gross vehicular manslaughter, DUI charged as murder. After a DUI arrest occurs, a driver usually has 10 days on average to fight the license suspension at a scheduled DMV hearing, or the driving licence will be automatically suspended. The more information you bring, the better the attorney will be able to speculate on the likely outcome of your DUI case. The experience of an experienced DUI attorney is essential to the chances of finding the best way to save your driving licence from being suspended at this first hearing.
Attorneys who specialize in DUI cases often have an in-depth knowledge of DUI law and defenses that other attorneys do not have. Some plea agreements can be reached without legal assistance, but experienced DUI lawyers understand how to negotiate with the prosecution (and probably already have relationships with them). If the DMV finds in your favour, no licence suspension is imposed (although a DUI conviction in court could trigger a separate suspension).
