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A Few Benefits Of Hiring A DUI Lawyer

26 June 2018 by Kenneth Graham

If you have been arrested on DUI charges, you are probably scared and confused as to what will happen. You are going to need someone who understands the whole process to help you. An experienced DUI lawyer can not only explain the process and let you know what to expect, they can also benefit you in other ways. Here are just a few things an attorney can do for you.

Get the Charges Dropped

A lawyer will review all the information and evidence of the case and look for a way to get the charges dropped. There are a few ways they can do this. One way is to discredit the breathalyzer machine. If it had not been recently calibrated or was operated by an officer who did not have a current certification, the results will not hold up in court. Your lawyer may also be able to prove that something you ate or drank affected the results. If the court cannot prove the validity of any blood alcohol tests, the charges must be dropped.

Get the Charges Changed

When the blood alcohol results are good, the attorney will then ask the court to lower the charges. This is usually quite possible if it is your first DUI charge. The court may agree to a lesser charge as long as you stay out of trouble and do not get stopped by the police for a DUI again within a certain time. You may be required to attend counseling or have regular random alcohol testing done to make sure you are not drinking. No matter what the court decides to make you do, it will be imperative that you follow through, or you face not only the original charges but also being in contempt of the court.

Keep You Out of Jail

A DUI charge is nothing to take lightly. It is quite possible you'll end up behind bars because of it. If anyone was injured or killed or there was property damage because of your drinking, the charges could be very substantial and increase the chances of you going to jail. Your attorney will work with the court to find an alternative to this. There may be fines, mandatory attendance of AA meetings, random testing, and loss of driving privileges. However, these are a small price to pay for staying out of prison. You can be sure your lawyer will do all they can to keep your punishments to a minimum.

While you could initially be released from prison on bail, it is the court appearances afterward that will determine your fate. You could go alone, without legal representation, but the odds will be against you. You need someone who knows the system and the people involved (such as the DA, prosecutor, and judge) if you want to stay out of jail with the minimum punishments. Contact a local DUI lawyer for more information. 

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