Availing Of A Criminal Defense Lawyer For A DUI Charge

By Jennifer Bowers


Have you been accosted by a cop for a DUI charge? Charges of drinking under the influence can cause the suspension of your license so you need to remedy it immediately. The judge may release you on your own cognizance; otherwise you will need the services of a lawyer to argue your bail for your temporary release.

In some states, a DUI charge generates 2 separate cases. One case will be with the Department of Motor Vehicles and another will be a criminal case filed with the court. With these cases, you may find that you have to face these charges within ten days from the date of the arrest.

In a criminal case, the accused will have to appear in court for his arraignment. You will be asked to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. The usual plea that your lawyer will advise you to take is not guilty of the charges. This will give your lawyer time to study your case and prepare your defense strategy.

There are many proven legal remedies that your lawyer can use as a defense strategy and absolve you of the DUI charges. One argument often used is lack of probable cause for the initial stop, and a petition to suppress evidence may be submitted. Another method is to question the reliability of the blood alcohol test and to cast doubt on the truth and veracity of the arresting officer's testimony.

Your lawyer however can use this defense only if the facts are true. Your criminal defense lawyer may not believe that he can make these arguments stick, so he might suggest a plea agreement compromise. This means that you submit a plea of guilty in return for reduced charges or sentencing concessions.

If you refuse the plea offer and is found guilty after trial, the repercussion could be much more than merely the court sentence. Your insurance costs will increase, and more importantly, you will now have a permanent criminal record, which can limit employment opportunities in the future.

A criminal lawyer will be able to give you expert advice to avoid the worst case scenario. If you get pulled over on a DUI charge, you should seriously consider hiring a criminal defense lawyer to help you sort through the legal wrangling and complicated workings of our legal system. Even if you win the case and the charges are dropped, you should nevertheless profit from the experience and avoid drunk driving.




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