If you’ve been accused of drunk driving or driving under the influence
of drugs, you will require a good DUI attorney to represent you and
help with your defense.
If you’ve been charged with drunk driving or driving under the influence
of drugs, you’ll need a good DUI attorney to stand by your side and
help with your defense. Even if you plan on pleading out your case, you
will almost certainly get a better result if you have a good lawyer
helping your through the process. But even if you are entirely innocent
of the charges, you must never think about representing yourself in
court. While having the public defender try your case isn’t the ideal by
any means, it is still a far better choice than going in without any
representation at all. Still, there are much better choices out there.
Here’s how to find them.
Before you get started on your search for a DUI attorney, there are some
things you should keep in mind. It’s easy to become intimidated when
you’re looking down the barrel at a determined prosecution, hostile
police force, and a society that looks down on drunk driving. But you
still have rights. One of those rights is the presumption of innocence.
This means that any jury or judge must give you that presumption until
the prosecution has proven their case or you have pled guilty. Another
thing you must remember is that even if you are guilty of the charges,
that doesn’t mean the police acted properly as they pulled you over and
arrested you. If there can be shown to be a breakdown of your rights
along the way, the charges may be invalid.
If you pop open the phone book, it won’t take long to realize that you
have an enormous range of choice when it comes to hiring a lawyer. These
choices will take many forms. The public defender, the dedicated DUI
attorney, the general practitioner, and discount practitioners. Without
question, you’re looking for someone who is dedicated to the type of
case you’re involved in. They will have the experience, knowledge, and
expertise to see you through the case. Avoid the discount practitioners
if you can. You may not get results any better with one of these than
you would if you had represented yourself. Take the public defender if
you must, but if you can scrape together the money, it’s far preferable
to find someone who can really make a difference.
While you should find a good DUI attorney as soon as you can, this
doesn’t mean you should rush through the process. Meet with a few
different lawyers, have a consultation (which will usually be free of
charge), and make your decision with a clear head. It could be the most
important one you make when it comes to preserving your rights and your
freedom.
