Should I Hire a DUI lawyer?

The main reason anyone would ask that question is because they have been charged with some form of DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated). If this sounds like you or someone you know you need to hire a lawyer as quickly as possible.

There are several reason why you need a qualified DUI lawyer working hard for you. Primarily they will know your legal rights in regard to the specific charge against you. Thus, they will be able to help prevent you from self-incriminating yourself or any other mistakes you are likely to make.

Moreover, if the charge is a serious one, which hopefully it is not, they will know how to defend you in court. You need the experience of a good DUI lawyer because they understand how to talk to judges, juries and the prosecution. And once again they will know the law far more throughly than you will, given their years of legal experience.

Probably the most common argument against hiring a DUI lawyer is that they are expensive. Well this is a valid point any good DUI attorney is going to be expensive, but that is because of the value they provide. For example, how much would you pay to avoid going to jail even for a few months. For many people the cost of the DUI lawyer when compared to the potential fines and/or jail time of not; find that hiring one is a good investment on their part.

There are however some common misconceptions about what a skilled DUI lawyer can and cannot do. Most importantly they are not miracle workers. If you have driven drunk and killed someone there is no way that you are going to get away with only a fine. People often see shows such as Law and Order and think that lawyers can get people out any situation.

The truth is that if you are guilty of killing or seriously injuring some one while DUI you will face jail time. However, even in these cases it makes sense to hire a good DUI lawyer because they may be able to get your sentence reduced somewhat, especially if you plead guilty.

The situation where DUI lawyers work best though is for first time offenders. They can ensure that the fines and/or jail time will be as minimal as possible. Think of them as your get out of jail free card, that you can only use once. The more serious the DUI offense or the more DUI convictions you have the less leeway a DUI lawyer will have with your case.

Thus, if you have been charged with a DUI or DWI you need a lawyer on your case. Just remember that they are not miracle workers. They have to work with the particularities of your case and history. In the end though you will be glad you did. Better yet, don't drink and drive in the first place and you will never have to ask this question again.

DUI Defense

DUI (Driving under the influence) or DWI (Driving while intoxicated) is regarded as the most serious misdemeanor offense. In many cases, repeat offenders are considered felons. Worst case scenario, the offense can be marked and will forever go on your record, whereby you will suffer socially and financially.

A number of people charged with this offense are not always guilty. Scholarly research shows that most of the sobriety tests performed are inconclusive. In many cases, chemical tests, breath analyzers (Intoxilyzer 5000), or infrared breath machines are not considered valid. Many of the field sobriety tests performed to judge whether the driver's motor skills are impaired are considered faulty, as they are not performed uniformly and in many cases the police officers improperly guide and instruct the person. In the hands of an adept criminal lawyer or a DUI lawyer who can argue the credibility of the tests, you can avoid the damages that DUI charges may bring. DUI Lawyers can also obtain a pre-trial ruling through which the sobriety tests can be excluded from being produced as evidence on the grounds of lack of a adequate scientific analysis.

Effects of DUI charges:

Guaranteed suspension of driver license and driving privileges. In some cases, if you hold driver licenses in more than one state, you can lose both. Suspension can last anywhere from 90 days to 5 years.

Your vehicle can be sent for impounding.

Probation.

Time doing Community Service.

Heavy fines.

Mandatory counseling.

Incarceration (even for first timers).

House arrest.

And in most cases, time in prison.

Most of the proficient and experienced DUI attorneys and Criminal Defense Attorney's will tell you that the majority of people charged with DUI/DWI are not irrational juveniles, but average, law-abiding citizens who were slapped with heavy fines and charges after just two glasses of wine. As laws get tougher, equally tough are the criminal lawyers who can tackle most of the charges. Do not go to an average lawyer who might naively expose you to more liabilities. DUI/DWI offenses are ugly, and if not handled correctly, the charges can accumulate.

If you are wrongly charged, by law you have no reason to be facing charges. So remember the law is on your side. Hire an excellent criminal lawyer with whom you can go through all of the details of the trial. Discuss with them the reason for the charges, and all possible allegations and charges that the opposing counsel might throw at you. Also try to find outstanding character witnesses who will stand by you. Therefore, it is important to hire a knowledgeable DUI lawyer who will guide you in the preparation for the trial and make you aware of all the penalties you may face.