DUI Attorney Job Description
DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence and this can mean drugs or alcohol. If you are arrested for this crime and you cannot pass a test called a field sobriety test and you fail a breathalyzer, you will most likely be arrested. The breathalyzer test shows how much alcohol is in your bloodstream and if it’s over the legal limit, it’s considered a DUI. When this happens, you will need to contact a DUI attorney. This professional will represent people who have been accused of drinking alcohol, causing them to exceed the limits set by state law for driving a vehicle. They will be the ones to handle all aspects of your case.
When you first meet with your DUI attorney, they will explain all of the possible scenarios if you are convicted of DUI, which may include:
• Rate
• Penalty fee
• Prison time
• Driver’s license revoked or suspended for up to twelve months or life suspension if they have a repeat offense
• A set number of hours doing community service
• Court-ordered alcohol rehab if you have many convictions.
The scenario can be one or more of these possibilities. If they are experienced DUI attorneys, they will contest the arrest. They will try to convince the Court to reduce the sentence or lower the charges. Many times the attorney will dispute whether the police officer was within his constitutional rights to stop his client’s vehicle. The attorney can also question whether the tests that were done were accurate. The DUI attorney will make sure their client understands what is happening, what will happen in the coming months, and clear up any legal issues. The attorney can give his client details about what sentence he can expect if this is his first DUI charge or if this is just one of many DUI arrests.
When they go to court, there are usually several hearings. It will begin with a hearing at the Department of Motor Vehicles and the final hearing in state or county court. The attorney will attend each hearing and will defend the client against him.
Choosing a good DUI attorney can be overwhelming, especially if it is your first offense. You can look for one online or in the phone book, but the best way is to ask someone you know who has been in the same situation. When trying to decide which DUI attorney to hire, consider their experience and fees because some charge by the hour while others charge a flat fee. In some cases, if you cannot afford a lawyer, you may be able to get help from a public defender.