How to Find the Absolute Best DUI Attorney
Alcohol is popular among people of varying age groups. 21st birthdays all over the country are celebrated with cocktails. Unfortunately, it is hard to gauge when you have had too many drinks to drive. With increased law enforcement everywhere, driving intoxicated is more likely to result in arrest. Once you have been arrested, there are many possible sentences you may face. Having a well-qualified DUI attorney by your side in court will help you avoid the most severe punishment.
There are many people who enjoy letting loose with their friends and having a few drinks. Alcoholic beverages are popular among people in many different age groups. But unfortunately,
alcohol can impair your judgment. Even though there are many programs educating people about the effects of alcohol, you may quickly forget the information once you’ve had a few cocktails. You might decide you are sober enough to drive when you are actually above the legal limit. Some lucky individuals are guilty of this but fortunate to have made it home safely without getting arrested. However, police departments everywhere have increased the number of officers patrolling and instituted DUI checkpoints. The raised forces greatly lower the likelihood that you can avoid arrest if you drive drunk.
When you have been arrested for a DUI, there are many different punishments the court may sentence you to. Seek a well-qualified DUI attorney who can help educate you about the possible sentences you might face. Every state has different laws in place regarding DUI's, so punishment will vary depending on your location. Some states are much stricter than others. The amount of alcohol you had also factors into your sentence. Many states differentiate a regular DUI from an extreme DUI, depending on how high above the legal limit your blood alcohol content was. Blood alcohol content represents the percentage of alcohol in your blood. The legal limit may vary by state, but is currently .08 in all of them. Typically, the higher above the limit you were, the more severe the punishment will be.
The court may sentence you to attend classes on alcohol awareness. You might have to serve jail time, and even have a breathalyzer installed in your car. The car breathalyzer measures your BAC, and disables the vehicle from being driven when you are too intoxicated. Usually, you also have to pay a fine and court costs. In some states, a jail sentence can be avoided through completion of community service or awareness programs. In other states, the jail time is unavoidable. With such varying possibilities, it’s a good idea to have a DUI attorney helping you in court.
While attorneys have no power to change certain laws, they can still help you to avoid the most severe sentences. Going to court without a DUI attorney increases your chances of having to sit in jail. An experienced attorney can help you get a reduced fine and jail sentence. Many states have programs available for defendants to have a conviction removed from their permanent record. These programs often involve attendance to classes that relate to the type of crime committed. For a DUI conviction, alcohol awareness education is likely. Once you complete certain requirements, you can petition the court to remove the conviction from your record. The biggest benefit to this type of program is that your conviction will not inhibit you from getting a job in the future. Your DUI attorney can make sure you are enrolled in such a program if you qualify for it.
When you drink alcohol, you should always try to be safe. Even if you do not think you’ve had too many, remember the legal limit may be much lower than your personal limit. But everyone makes mistakes in life. If you are arrested for a DUI, make sure you have representation in court. A well-qualified DUI attorney can greatly affect the outcome of your case.
