DUI Lawyers: What Do They Do?
Driving under the influence (DUI) charges may fall within the misdemeanor level. However, it would be a grave mistake to think that even misdemeanor DUI charges are a minor thing to deal with. Read on and find out why every DUI conviction holds the potential to carry some severe penalties if the offender is convicted and why a criminal defense lawyer is a must-have.
Can You be Bailed Out?
Unfortunately, not all DUI defendants will be offered bail. In many cases, those arrested for drunk driving must wait until they are deemed sober to be arraigned and that may mean waiting for several hours or even longer to face the judge. Even though you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, judges tend to make things more difficult for DUI defendants and bail can be more challenging to obtain or it might be more costly. If you are denied bail, speak to a DUI lawyer for help with your bail issues. Jail is no place to work on your case.
Fighting for Your Driving Privileges
In many cases, those arrested for DUI immediately lose their licenses. Then, driving legally means asking the judge for a hardship license which allows you to go to work and a few other places only. Being able to drive while awaiting trial means keeping a job and more. However, hardship licenses are not automatic or easy to obtain. Your lawyer will know what to do about, not just a hardship license, but other alternate methods of lowering your penalties.
Shoot Down the Evidence
Your DUI lawyer knows that the state's case rests on their evidence. Everything must have been done by the book or the charges could be dropped. For example, law enforcement must show that they had reasonable cause to stop your vehicle and then they must also show reasonable cause for asking you to perform roadside sobriety tests.
In addition, the tests themselves may not have been correctly performed. The instructions may have been wrong or confusing or the officer might not have been certified to perform the tests. Many times, defendants have physical or neurological issues that prevent them from understanding or performing the field sobriety tests. Any of those issues and more are worth pursuing to avoid the worst possible DUI penalties including incarceration, high fines, community service, probation, and more.
Every single thing that occurred after the blue lights lit up your vehicle must be examined in detail and that is what DUI lawyers do every day successfully. Speak to a DUI criminal lawyer today.
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