Is This Your First Time Being Stopped For Driving Under The Influence? Here's What Your Attorney May Want You Know
DUI cases begin with an arrest prompted by suspicion of driving a vehicle while under the influence. In many cases, this happens when the police notice motorists driving carelessly or while violating traffic rules. A police stop can be extremely unnerving, especially if you're facing your first DUI arrest. As a result, you may do or say something that can get you a severe punishment when you appear in court. An effective way to avoid this is by contacting a DUI attorney immediately after the police arrest you. They will want you to understand the following so that you don't make costly mistakes:
Failing to Cooperate With the Officers Can Lead to Severe Consequences
The police have a right to stop you and conduct different tests if they believe you are driving while under the influence. Therefore, it is usually advisable to cooperate with the officers when they ask you to take tests to confirm intoxication. If you don't, you might face severe consequences, including a driving license suspension. However, even when this happens, your legal practitioner can aid you in filing an appeal and regaining your driving rights. Your DUI defense attorney will use different strategies to help protect your driving license so that you don't face inconveniences when you want to use your vehicle.
Apart from protecting your driving rights, your lawyer can also help you avoid prosecution. They might do so by objecting to the use of your test results as evidence. This would be a viable option if the police did not follow the right procedure throughout the process of stopping, questioning, testing, and putting you in custody. They may also refute the test results if they indicate an incorrect alcohol content. Your lawyer can use these and other arguments to demonstrate that the evidence presented by the police is insufficient to charge you with DUI. As a result, they may be able to help you get your charges dismissed or, barring that, a more lenient judgment.
Your DUI Arrest Is Part of the Public Record
Because your DUI arrest is part of the public record, a conviction will remain on your record if the judge finds you guilty. This may cause significant consequences in your life, both currently and in the future. For instance, you might have challenges getting some forms of employment or accessing certain services. Thus, hiring a DUI defense attorney to defend you is recommended to help avoid a conviction. On the other hand, they can build a defense with the aim of convincing the judge to order you to undertake community service instead of handing down a jail sentence.
A prudent way to avoid complicating your DUI case is by hiring an attorney to defend you. They will advise and represent you throughout your case to facilitate as favorable an outcome as possible.
For more information, contact a local DUI attorney.