How a DUI Lawyer Can Help You Right Away

Traffic stops at certain times of the day or at specific times of year carry a great suspicion of the involvement of alcohol or other substances. At times, mistakes are made and some drive on the border of the legal alcohol limit. You may or may not have heard about cases where a poor breathalyzer calibration can incriminate a sober driver. If you are stopped and the law enforcement officer suspects you are driving under the influence, you should know your rights under the law. Even if you are clearly aware that you are driving illegally, you still have rights. The most important of these rights is certainly to be able to have legal representation during questioning and your ability to remain silent or refuse tests.

Having the advice and support of a respected DUI lawyer can mean the difference between a severe sentence and having charges dropped. In the case that you are charged with an offense, then having an experienced, specialized DUI lawyer able to aid and inform you along the way is the best way to proceed. They can save you a great deal of expense and personal stress.

It is important to understand your rights when dealing with law enforcement. You are not required to provide information other than basic identification and proof you are legally in charge of the vehicle you are driving. You do not have to submit to a breathalyzer or field sobriety test. It is true that in many cases this is enough suspicion to lead to an arrest but it is important to remain calm and composed. Contacting a DUI lawyer at this point will allow you time that you may feel you need to reach full sobriety and provide you with advice on how to proceed now you are in custody. Legally, you are unable to be questioned without a lawyer present. This right can provide you with time to compose yourself and prepare for the stress of police questioning.

When searching for an attorney of any kind, including a DUI lawyer it is important to complete some research. Understanding how successfully a lawyer has litigated or even avoided court proceedings for previous clients is a great way of judging their ability. You may know friends or loved ones who have had cause to retain an attorney and personal recommendations can be very helpful. If you have visited lawyers in other civil or criminal matters they may be able to recommend colleagues who specialize in DUI cases who have good standing within the legal profession.

With some forethought and the information of a seasoned DUI lawyer you may be able to avoid a great deal of inconvenience. Their advice regarding procedure in DUI cases can save you from losing your license or heavy fines due to the strict deadlines some states impose. The help they can offer immediately following an arrest can mean the difference between being charged with driving under the influence or being released without criminal charges.