Police forces all over the United States have been cracking down on drunk driving, and laws are becoming enforced more thoroughly as a result. Alcohol slows down your brain by acting as a depressant, so when you drink, your brain processes things more slowly than it should. This often goes without notice to the consumer, so even if you have been drinking just a little, make the right decision. But if you have already made the wrong decision, it's important to know how to handle these situations, and how to protect your legal rights.
A DUI can have serious consequences if not taken care of properly. Penalties due to driving under the influence can include going to jail for a range of 10 to 180 days under your first offense, and the fines are approximately $1,800.00 plus jail costs. Penalties may also include suspension of your license, probation, community service, and even counseling. Some, or even all of the above consequences can be avoided by getting a DUI lawyer to fight for your case.
It may seem that a DUI is what it is and that you can't fight the court in these situations, but there are exceptions. If the police officer handling you did not follow the proper procedures, or has denied you a constitutional right, you can make a case from it, and protect yourself with a lawyer. Each case is unlike another, and your specific case may take a specific lawyer. A lawyer will help reduce charges and penalties for the person in question. DUI lawyers specialize in their specific type of cases, and seeing as it is a permanent mark on your life, it is important to get a lawyer that makes a good case for you.
Lawyers can help you see if you have a case to make, because often times the people in question don't. So first, see if you have a case during the initial meeting with a lawyer. A local DUI lawyer is the best route to go, because they are familiar with all of the important legal rules in these situations. The laws and consequences for a DUI conviction are slightly different in every state, lawyers from your area are especially accustomed to the courts of your state and the customs they partake in.
The lawyer you choose can help by looking over the police report filed with the DMV. He/she will help you see if there are things such as a valid reason to have been pulled over by a cop in the first place. Also your attorney can see if the tests you underwent were properly carried through. Other things that can effect your case include if the officer handling your case was allowed to proceed with tests on you, whether the equipment used was functioning correctly. Additionally, be sure the police officer's training records were up to date. Otherwise, the validity of the case could be questioned lessening or eliminating the charges completely.
So even if you think your ship is sunk, look into getting a DUI lawyer.
No comments:
Post a Comment