Experienced DUI attorneys can often whittle down the standard offer by pointing out weaknesses in the prosecution's case or bringing mitigating factors to the prosecutor's attention. An attorney's familiarity with local practices, the district attorney, and the judge can also help with these types of negotiations.
A DUI lawyer’s job is to ensure that the outcome of the settlement or court case goes as much in your favor as it possibly can, by building a strong case in your defense. If you have been charged with driving under the influence or have any further questions concerning what a DUI lawyer can do for you, contact The Law Place in Florida today.
Private DUI lawyers typically offer prospective clients a free initial consultation. By taking advantage of this, you can get a feel for whether a particular attorney is a good fit for you. If you still have questions about legal representation in a DUI case, get in contact with a local DUI attorney or public defender.
May 25, 2012 · At this point, hopefully I have the majority of your discovery process complete. I have a very good picture and outline of what your DUI case looks like. But before we discuss how we are going to defend your DUI in criminal court, we need to plan our attack in the DMV hearing.I may decide to go "on the packet" at the hearing.
Mar 03, 2022 · An attorney like Leon Matchin will defend you in court to try and get charges dropped or downgraded. During his many years as an attorney, he has worked on numerous DUI cases and knows the ins and outs of creating a solid case and representing clients in court. For more information about DUI charges, reach out to Leon Matchin.
Depending on the state, the offense is called driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), or a similar term. Even if evidence of blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) shows impairment, a good DUI lawyer may seek to have the case dismissed or the charges reduced.
Upon conviction of a DUI, you will receive some sort of criminal sentence (such as community service, a fine, even jail) and your driver's license likely will be suspended or revoked, depending on the severity and whether it is a first offense.
What is DUI / DWI Law? It is a crime in every state for a motorist to operate a vehicle while impaired by the effects of alcohol or other drugs, including prescription medications. Depending on the state, the offense is called driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), or a similar term.
Drunk or impaired driving is taken seriously by courts, particularly since it can be so deadly to other motorists. Therefore, the stakes of a DUI case are quite high. Those convicted of a DUI usually lose their license for a certain period of time, pay a hefty fine, and sometimes serve time in jail (especially if it is a repeat offense).
Implied Consent: In every state, motorists consent to a police stop and BAC test as a condition of receiving a driver's license. Failure to submit to a BAC test breaks this agreement and results in a driver's license suspension.
Legal representation is rarely cheap, but a skilled DUI lawyer should be able to help you with the outcome of your case. To learn more about how a DUI attorney may help your case, see Hire a DUI Lawyer and Get Legal Help with a DUI. Criminal Law. Traffic Violations.
If you plead guilty, the judge will decide your punishment and you will not have to return afterwards. However, if you decide to plead not guilty, then you will need to return to court for a preliminary hearing and trial. In this case, you will probably need to hire a DUI attorney to represent you.
For example, a police officer might initially pull you over for running a stop sign, driving with a broken tail light, or having expired registration.
Driving Erratically. If a police officer sees you driving in a reckless manner, it may lead them to suspect that you're under the influence. The officer can then pull you over and administer a Breathalyzer test in order to determine your sobriety.
if you'd try to flee). If you can't afford to pay the set bail amount, you or your loved ones have the option of going through a bail bond agency.
The different stages of a DUI trial consist of: Choosing a jury. The court will interview a number of people, then allow the defense (your lawyer) and prosecution to exclude certain jurors who they believe to be unfit for the case. Opening statements from your attorney and the state prosecutor.
Drinking can be a fun and social activity, but as soon as you get behind the wheel of a car, you can turn a night of enjoyment into a life of regret.
Opening statements from your attorney and the state prosecutor. Prosecution has a “burden of proof" against you, and will briefly outline the evidence and testimonies they have to help their case. Your attorney will present an alternate interpretation of the incident and present laws that defend your stance.
Private Lawyers. When you hire a private DUI lawyer, it's typically to represent you in DMV proceedings and criminal court. Having the same attorney work on both aspects of your case can lead to better outcomes, including a shorter license-suspension period.
Hiring a private DUI lawyer will generally cost you between $1,000 and $5,000. If your case goes to trial, it can be even more expensive. (And there are cases where spending the money for a private lawyer won't get you a more favorable outcome than had you gone with the public defender.)
Public defenders handle a large number of criminal cases, including lots of DUIs. So, most public defenders are quite familiar with DUI law and defenses. Public defenders are generally well acquainted with the district attorneys and judges and know their tendencies—knowledge that can be beneficial for plea bargaining.
Generally, an offense is considered a "standard first DUI" if the offender has no prior DUI convictions and the offense didn't involve any aggravating factors such as accidents, injuries, or a particularly high blood alcohol concentration ( BAC ).
Generally, all criminal defendants have the right to an attorney. If you can't afford to hire your own lawyer, the court will appoint one for you. Appointed attorneys are normally from a public defender's office.
The bottom line is you don't want to try a DUI case on your own—if you're going to trial, you should have an attorney. Protect Yourself. Talk to a Lawyer About Your Case. Enter Your Zip Code to Connect with a Lawyer Serving Your Area. Practice Area.
Though you're entitled to represent yourself in a DUI trial, it's almost never a good plan. The learning curve for trial practice is steep and usually comes only with considerable experience. A lack of legal knowledge and trial skills will put you at a severe disadvantage in court. And judges typically have little patience for self-represented defendants who don't know the rules of court. The bottom line is you don't want to try a DUI case on your own—if you're going to trial, you should have an attorney.
Most DUI convictions will require that you complete at least 48 hours of community service. By starting a community service program before your court date, you will be able to get ahead of your sentence and greatly reduce the hours that you will have left to serve if you get convicted.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) offers a Victim Impact Panel program. This program was designed to show the realities of drinking and driving. During VIP class, people who have been personally affected by someone who was driving under the influence will speak in from of the audience and share their story. This two-hour program can be very informative and educational. However, it is not a replacement for Alcohol Education Classes. You can learn more about these classes here.