A DUI Lawyer Can Help You Avoid the Most Serious Penalties

It is important to get a DUI lawyer after being pulled over and accused of driving drunk. This is because there are serious penalties that an attorney of this type should help you avoid. Find out some of the most common consequences for drunk driving that you just may avoid by hiring a legal representative.

The most commonly feared penalty is time in jail. You may still be able to avoid this if this is your first charge and you have an otherwise clean record. However, many states are cracking down and insisting that drivers spend at least a few days in jail, and you may even get a month or so, depending on the circumstances. If you wish to avoid this, you need to hire a DUI lawyer fast. Keep in mind that if you have to spend time in jail, you could end up losing your job, so this is more serious than just spending a few nights somewhere you do not want to be.

Of course, the fines are usually more than most people can easily afford. They range from about $500 to $5000, depending on your blood alcohol level, the state you live in, and whether this was your first offense or your third. Either way, you should not have to pay the maximum fines, especially if you simply cannot afford it. You owe it to yourself, your family, and your bank account to reduce the fines you end up having to pay. Considering that the fines go to different entities, such as the court and special funds set up by the state, it is not unusual to at least reduce some of them with a DUI lawyer.

Another common penalty is license suspension. You may think about how this will initially affect you. It means you will not be able to go to your friend's house, the bar, or the mall. But it also means you cannot go to work or school on your own, as you need to find a ride or take public transport. You may be able to get a conditional license that lets you drive to work or school, but this depends on your state and is not always available. Even with it, though, you drive to the grocery store when you need to, meaning that it is still an inconvenience that you do not want.

Of course, hiring a DUI lawyer will not guarantee that you can get out of the charges. But this will give you the best chance of dismissing the serious consequences you face. So the result is that an attorney is often worth your money.