We Have Recovered OVER $100,000,000.00 for OUR CLIENTS!

Tomczak Law Team

Why Hire a Lawyer to Fight a DUI Arrest

Posted on by Jeff TomczakDUI / Drunk Driving Defense Law05 May 2015

The consequences associated with DUI charges can be excessively severe. The charges pressed against you can negatively impact various aspects of your life. It can result in the loss of your driver’s license, your job, an unreasonably high amount of money due to court fines, and even jail time.

In trying times like these, it is imperative that you seek legal advice from a skilled and reputable DUI lawyer. Only he/she can help you avoid the potential damage to your life. He/she will not only fight for you, but also protect your rights vigorously.

Here are the five biggest advantages of hiring a skilled and experienced DUI lawyer.

1. Better Understanding of Laws

One of the greatest advantages of hiring an experienced DUI attorney is that he/she will be familiar with all the rules, court customs and procedures in depth. Most people believe that an attorney can help them with ANY legal matter. However, the truth is that attorneys concentrate in certain areas of the law just the same way medical doctors do. For example if you if you need a birth injury lawyer in Chicagoland, you would want to contact a top medical malpractice lawyer in Chicago for help. The same holds true for DUI / drunk driving law. If you are accused of a DUI, you want to find and contact an experienced and local DUI attorney.

Hiring a random lawyer might help you with drafting pleadings. But, a lawyer who has specialized in DUI cases will know the minute details that can make your DUI case strong. These details include requirements for blood draws, field sobriety tests, breath tests, or sobriety checkpoints. They will also protect your constitutional rights.

Moreover, as the lawyer will be familiar with the current DUI laws, They will be able to identify the loopholes as well as the strengths in your case, which could result in a lesser sentence or the dismissal of your case.

The DUI laws aim to measure your ability to operate a vehicle by determining if you are impaired based on whether your blood alcohol level exceeds the set limit in your state. Currently, the blood alcohol limit is .08% in all the states. A DUI lawyer will know all the specifics related to the various laws, and can help you avoid having charges pressed against you.

Finding an experienced DUI attorney is quite simple. You can ask for recommendations from your friends, colleagues or relatives. Searching online can also help you to a great extent. For instance, if you are looking for a DUI lawyer in Joliet, you could simply look online for a DUI lawyer Joliet. Once you have the list of lawyers, you can meet them individually and choose the one you think is most suitable for your case.

2. Minimize the Consequences

A DUI arrest is a serious issue, it will always stay on your criminal record. This criminal offense might lead to jail time, suspension of your driver’s license and hefty fines.

If you are a first-time offender, you may be subjected to a few or all of the following penalties:

  • Temporary impounding of your vehicle
  • Fine of up to several thousand dollars
  • Installation of an ignition lock that prevents your car from starting if you’ve been drinking
  • Probation
  • Possible jail time
  • Revocation of your driver’s license
  • Community service
  • Completion of substance abuse classes at your own expense.

On the other hand, if you are a repeat offender, these penalties can increase significantly. However, by hiring an experienced DUI lawyer, you can minimize these consequences, as they would know how to effectively handle the intricacies of such cases.

A skilled lawyer knows how to challenge the various aspects of a DUI charge. Based on their knowledge of breathalyzers, blood tests and chemical testing procedures, they can challenge the lab results and help you achieve a lenient sentence.

3. Present Your Case More Effectively

An experienced DUI lawyer can represent you effectively. Their legal opinion regarding your case holds major importance. Moreover, they will ensure to take care of the following when presenting your case:

  • By pointing out the strengths of the case or the defendant, the attorney may be able to convince the prosecutor to reduce the charge to a lesser offense
  • Owing to familiarity with representing DUI cases, its various customs, local practices, and the tendencies of different judges, the attorney may be able to have the defendant’s case handled by a more lenient judge
  • When presenting your case to the state motor vehicle department/bureau on license suspension hearings, They will know the type of defenses that carry weight, and which ones do not, and can present your case more persuasive than you
  • When helping the defendant prepare for the interview with the probation officer, the attorney may be able to help him avoid unnecessarily burdensome probation conditions

4. Get a Clear Picture of Available Options

Being a first-time offender, you may have a hard time dealing with DUI charges. Most people think pleading guilty or going to trial are the only two available options. However, this may not always be true.

Before taking any step, it is crucial to learn about the various DUI penalties and fines in your state. This will help you make an informed decision. Additionally, a skilled attorney can help you know if the option of pleading bargain is advisable in your case.

Apart from this, there are various diversionary programs  that can be helpful in minimizing the charges. If you choose to enter a DUI diversion program and successfully complete the drug or alcohol counseling, you might end up with a reduced sentence or a case dismissal.

Conclusion

Being arrested for DUI can impact your life significantly. This is one of those difficult times when you need a confident and experienced DUI lawyer to defend you effectively and resolve your case. Hiring a DUI lawyer will perhaps be of the most important decisions that you will ever make. Don’t make the mistake of compromising on the skills that a DUI lawyer must have in a bid to save a little money. This decision needs to be taken smartly and in the right frame of mind. Keep your calm and let an experienced lawyer handle your case.