I've Been Arrested for a DUI

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of substance abuse can result in prison time and a hefty fine. As this crime can affect your ability to regain your driving privileges, you should hire an attorney to make sure that your rights are protected. Here are seven reasons why you should hire a DUI attorney instead of pleading guilty:

1) Hiring an attorney will help to improve your chances of staying out of prison

Most people charged with DUI, especially for their first offense, plead guilty because they don't want to risk jail time. They might even get charged with additional crimes that result in a harsher punishment. Hiring a professional attorney can assist you in avoiding these extreme consequences. A DUI attorney will work with the prosecutor and the judge to find a penalty that does not have you going to jail. The lawyer may ask the court for probation or community service as an alternative to imprisonment.

2) Hiring an attorney can help you to be eligible for probation and parole

The prosecutor typically wants to try me if I've been arrested for a DUI. They may even want to go for trial and tell your judge that you are a flight risk or that someone else is more likely to come forward and say that you were driving under the influence. Hiring a Sacramento DUI attorney can help convince your judge that this charge should not be used against you when sentencing you. Instead, the lawyer may file motions claiming that there was another reason why you were driving and asking the judge to go with probation or community service instead of prison time.

3) Hiring an attorney may help you to avoid fines and fees

When convicted of a crime, the judge will usually sentence you by considering whether you have a lot of prior convictions or if you have other issues that keep you from getting well-paying jobs. When charges are brought against a person who is not an active veteran, there may also be additional fines and fees that need to be paid. In many cases, the jury might waive these additional fees so long as the person does not continue to violate probation or parole conditions. Hiring an attorney can ensure that your sentencing does not include the extra penalties for this charge.

4) Hiring an attorney will help you make sure that your driver's license is not suspended

If you are convicted of DUI or DWAI, your driver's license will usually get suspended permanently. Other states may even see this suspension if your driving privileges are revoked in the state where you committed the DUI. If you have prior convictions, this crime could result in your license being revoked for life. Hiring a lawyer can help you avoid losing your license when arrested for a DUI. Your attorney may file motions asking the judge to suspend the driving suspension, especially if the prosecutor is seeking jail time instead.

If you have been arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, a DUI attorney can help defend your rights. This type is more expensive than other defense attorneys, but they are worth it to avoid losing your license, taking a heavy fine, or ending up in jail.