How a DUI Defense Attorney Can Help With Your Case

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Not too long ago, driving under the influence (DUI) was regarded as a minor offense in the United States. Then, penalties were restricted to fines and, on rare occasions, DUI classes. Today, this offense is a crime that carries severe penalties. These include long jail sentences, exorbitant fines, and driver's license suspension or revocation.

If you get arrested on a drunk driving charge, the best thing you can do is hire an attorney specializing in DUI crimes. Technically, you can represent yourself in the trial. However, you will need to be well versed in all legal aspects of the case to have any chance of mitigating the outcome.

A DUI attorney is your best defense against the penalties attached to a drunk driving offense, whether you are guilty or not. Without this attorney, the court is likely to sentence you to a very harsh punishment. A good and experienced DUI defense attorney will:

Provide Effective Defense Against the Drunk Driving Charges

DUI defense attorneys' most essential duty is to defend their client against the drunk driving charges they are being prosecuted for. This can be achieved in several ways. They include refuting the prosecutor's evidence by presenting other evidence and witness statements and making plea bargains for lesser punishments or charges, and so on.

Help You Understand the Complexity of DUI Laws

One important reason you should hire an experienced DUI defense attorney to represent you is the complexity of the driving under the influence laws in several states. If you are operating a motor vehicle and have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of at least 0.08%, you can be charged with a drunk driving offense. If your BAC is between 0.05 and 0.08 and you appear to be impaired while driving, then the police officer can give you a citation. There are several other statutes you are not privy to that the defense attorney is. Knowledgeable attorneys like Puget Law Group will provide you with this information, help you understand them, and build a robust defense against them.

Have Access to Experts

A good number of driving under the influence cases are based on the results obtained from chemical tests. A popular example is the Breathalyzer test. However, Breathalyzers and chemical tests are not always reliable. This provides defense lawyers with a means of suppressing DUI evidence in defense of their clients. Many experienced criminal defense attorneys have a range of expert witnesses they use at trials. With these witnesses, they can establish if there was a discrepancy in the testing method or result.

Have Knowledge of Legal Procedures and Protocols

Every criminal case, including drunk driving cases, has legal procedures and protocols they must follow. These include meeting specific deadlines and filing certain documents, among others. Failure to meet any of these protocols could mean a significant delay in your case or having it thrown out. Moreover, defense attorneys are experienced in the courtroom, and they know the questions to ask and will also train you to answer questions correctly.

Help You Obtain a Plea Deal

An experienced attorney may work with the prosecutor charging you to help the offender obtain a plea deal. This is because they have handled several cases that would expose them to the different judges and prosecutors in the field. As such, they will be able to negotiate on your behalf and get a favorable outcome. They may even have good working relationships with them that will facilitate you getting a plea deal.

Help You Understand Your Options and Legal Rights

A good criminal defense attorney will provide you with the full range of available options and help you understand your legal rights. For instance, several counties have specialized alcohol or drug treatment programs where you can enter into a diversion program and undergo drug or alcohol counseling. Completion of this will earn you a reduced sentence or complete dismissal.

Have Inside Information

An experienced criminal defense attorney will know all the important figures in a drunk driving prosecution, from the prosecutor to the judge. They will have information on the qualification of the police officer charging you to court, among others. They will know all the inner workings of DUI prosecutions and the wherewithal to use it to your advantage.

Endnote

Hiring a criminal defense attorney when you are charged with a drunk driving offense is in your best interest. Retaining an experienced and highly skilled attorney to help protect your rights will increase your chances of getting a good defense. Therefore, endeavor to get one as soon as you can to enable the preparation of an effective and reliable defense.