DUI Lawyer Eases Court Preparation

The main objective of hiring a DUI lawyer is to protect your rights and lower any sentencing that may be applied. The DUI court penalties for first offenders is pretty straight forward but repeat offenders should expect to need counsel to help them through this process. After all, driving while under the influence is seen as a criminal offense. So each client should prepare him or herself for the court process when facing a DUI charge. It can impact one's criminal record and reputation for quite some time. From arraignment to concluding judgment and sentencing, each defendant will have several court appearances assigned to him or her that they are expected to attend. He or she can have an attorney present for their first date, the arraignment, but the second date of pre-trial is definitely necessary. The process is as follows: arraignment, pre-trial conference, motion hearings, trails, and concluding judgment. The length and outcome depends on your number of offense and whether any property or anyone was hurt or killed as a result of your driving while intoxicated. First, the prosecutor has to determine that you were indeed under the influence or have a record of such behavior.

Each step in the DUI court process is a necessary obligation that you must meet and carry through with respect. The arraignment is your opportunity to formally hear your charges. From here you will enter your plea and accept or decline council. It is highly advised that you opt for either a public or private defender as legal representation from this point on. You will also receive the date of your pre-trial hearing. Pre-trial hearings are opportunities for your DUI lawyer to negotiate with the prosecution. It is an opportunity for your attorney to seek more time to prepare for your trail. Next are motion hearings where a few or hundreds of arguments from the prosecution and your defense. After which is the trail. A bench trail is for the judge to decide while a jury trial is when six to twelve people deliberate on the facts presented and they add to the judge's decision.

It can all seem and be overwhelming to someone trying to go through it alone, or for a second or third offense with an inexperienced public defender. The advantage of a DUI lawyer is there level of specialization and familiarity with each step of the court process. They will leave no stone unturned and they will not be surprised or caught off-guard and neither will you, the client.