Hiring Your DUI Lawyer

If you have recently been arrested for DUI (Driving Under the Influence), the first thing you need to do is hire the best DUI lawyer that you can. Being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (whether legal or prescription) constitutes a serious infraction of the law with complex consequences. Your dui defense attorney will explain to you the complexities of road testing (use of a breathalyzer and other field sobriety testing), as well as blood tests and urinalysis. Your lawyer will also take you through any pre-trial, trial and sentencing that may be applicable to your specific case.

DUI is also commonly referred to as DWI-Driving While Impaired, DUII-Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, OMVI-Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated and OUI-Operating Under the Influence.

Consequences of DUI

Whatever it is called, driving any motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is very serious. You may face immediate loss of your driving privileges, the impounding of your vehicle, fines and even imprisonment. You need a highly-trained DUI lawyer to help you through what will certainly be an exceedingly difficult period.

The definition and penalties associated with a DUI vary from state to state and may depend on if there was danger to the public or property, any evidence by witnesses or police, physical symptoms of the driver and the results of scientific roadside testing, i.e. breathalyzer or physical field sobriety results. DUI murder must show malice, recklessness, wanton behavior and/or disregard for human life.

Your DUI lawyer may, depending on the state, prevent your refusal to submit to a field sobriety test from being introduced into evidence you at trial, especially if you, as the defendant, can present evidence for the reason for refusal. However, some states have a statute criminalizing that refusal to submit to a blood-alcohol test. This is separate from the actual DUI offense. Some states even mandate jail time for those convicted of DUI after refusing to submit to this testing.

Penalties for DUI/DWI Convictions

The strict enforcement of DUI laws are meant to increase safety on our nation’s highways by reducing the number of traffic injuries and fatalities. Punishments have become stricter over the past ten years and will probably become more severe in the future.
Penalties for DWI may include:
• Suspension, revocation or restriction of your driver’s license, in conjunction with the Secretary of State’s office
• Installation of ignition-interlock devices
• Vehicle impoundment or forfeiture
• Probation, home-monitoring, attending DUI and/or AA meetings and/or community service
• Monetary restitution to the victim/s
• Fines that may range into the thousands of dollars, as well as increased insurance costs Incarceration in county or state prison, with terms ranging from one day to months or even years for multiple offenses

Know Your Rights

Your best defense depends on your hiring a knowledgeable DUI lawyer and being prepared with knowledge of the law and how it pertains to your rights. Before hiring any DUI defense lawyer, you should talk with two or three to determine that they specialize in DUI cases. You will also need to determine their fees; do they offer free consultations, charge an hourly fee, charge a retainer for handling your entire case including any trial? Most jurisdictions require that your lawyer give you a written fee agreement before rendering services, especially if your DUI is complicated. You will want no surprises when it comes to attorney fees.

DUI attorneys are trained to find technicalities in the law that may include having the charges against you dismissed or at least get the court to offer you a better deal. Even if you had a blood-alcohol level several times over the legal limit, your DUI defense lawyer will be able to help you through what could be a very stressful time.

You MUST be completely open and honest with your attorney; all of the information that you provide your lawyer will be held strictly confidential and is legally protected under the law!

If you are facing a potential DUI charge, please fill out our secure free legal evaluation form and one of our DUI attorneys will contact you immediately. Or call us toll free at 800-798-8384. Your information will remain confidential.