Driving while under the influence of alcohol is one of the worst decisions that you can make. Once you are charged with a DUI, you face the potential of going to jail as well as being charged thousands in fines. With so much on the line, you need to have an experienced DUI attorney to help you with your case.
Not All DUI Cases Lead to Conviction
If you have been charged with a DUI, you or your attorney will be given the chance to question the officer who pulled you over. This is an important step in getting your charges reduced or thrown out completely. In the event that there are any issues with the results of your breathalyzer test, your case could be thrown out due to insufficient evidence. You or your attorney can also challenge the results of any blood test that was administered during or after the traffic stop.
Mouthwash Can Trigger A False Positive In Some Cases
Your attorney will walk you through the events that lead up to your DUI to find out if anything that you did before getting behind the wheel could have triggered a false positive. For example, if you ingested mouthwash, that could show up on a breathalyzer test as a .02. If you are a minor, that could be the difference between going to jail and getting off completely.
Judges Have Leeway In Most Cases
A good attorney will seek reduced charges in your case. He or she will know how to argue for a reduction of charges in a way that you may not be able to. If this is your first time appearing before a judge, you may not know enough about the law or be too nervous to speak up for yourself. Your lawyer will not be scared to speak up on your behalf. Those who have been charged with a DUI for the first time or were only slightly over the legal limit could see a significant reduction in fines and jail time.
You Need A Lawyer Versed In DUI Law
In most cases, you will have your attorney appointed for you. While this is the cheaper option, it also means that you are getting an attorney who may know nothing about DUI law. It is important that you get a lawyer who has specialized in drunk or impaired driving cases. Otherwise, you may be forced to take a bad plea deal or face the full burden of the law that you have broken. In some states, that could result in several months of jail time, several years without your license and fines that could go as high as $3,000 or more.
You never want to go to court without an experienced DUI attorney. Your attorney will help you prepare for your case, argue for a lenient sentence and present you to the court as a human being who suffered from a lapse in judgement. This will spare your bank account from being emptied completely as well as your driving record from points and other negative consequences.