Being caught driving under the influence can have serious repercussions, especially if your actions caused harm to other people or property. From losing your license and paying a fine to potentially even going to jail, a DUI is not something to mess around with.
Fortunately, if you have a good lawyer behind you, there’s always a chance you’ll be able to avoid some of the more severe consequences. There are plenty of ways such an attorney will be able to help you build your case, including these three points.
They Can Investigate Your Arrest
If you’d never been in trouble with the police before, or you were incredibly anxious when you got pulled over, you probably didn’t think to question anything that happened. You might have been too scared or oblivious to know if everything that went down was by the book, so you just let it happen.
Thankfully, DUI lawyers are far more well-informed about the law, so they know exactly how the police should have acted when they stopped you. They can look into arrest reports and use the information you provide to identify whether or not the proper procedure was followed. If it wasn’t, they could get the case thrown out.
This also goes for any tests you may have taken during your arrest, such as a breathalyzer and blood samples.
They Can Negotiate You Out Of Trouble
Not all DUIs are treated the same, as some can come with felony charges. Not sure what constitutes a felony DUI? That’s precisely why it benefits you to have a DUI lawyer.
Should your case constitute more than just being caught driving over the limit, you can face additional charges that will result in harsher punishments. Fighting that on your own is unthinkable, especially as prosecutors may pressure you to plead guilty, thinking you don’t have a leg to stand on.
With an experienced and determined defense attorney from somewhere like Hooper Law Offices, though, you have the potential to beat some of the harshest charges. An effective DUI lawyer will be able to pick up on the weak points of a prosecutor’s case and hopefully strike a better deal. Their ability to negotiate could reduce your charges and the resulting punishment, especially if you have a clean history. Be sure to contact great options like Leyba Defense for help.
They Can Find Flaws That Must Be Proven
Sometimes, the best way to strengthen your case is to not go at it using the most common drunk driving defenses. That’s what a DUI lawyer can often do, because the cases they’ve handled in the past have taught them to look at the situation from different angles. They’re usually able to find flaws that prosecutors must then present evidence to fight against if they want the verdict to go in their favor.
For instance, if you were sitting in the passenger seat when a cop found you intoxicated, a DUI lawyer might argue that you were simply sleeping off the alcohol. Unless a prosecutor can prove without a doubt that this was the case, they can’t argue with the defense. As a result, your charges should be dropped.
You might think you can fight a DUI on your own, but things can escalate out of control very quickly. It’s always better to hire a specialized lawyer and have them help with your case, as the outcome is likely to be better for you more often than not.
If this is not your first DUI offense it might be time to admit you need help. Sedona addiction recovery might be just what you need to get your life back on track.