Driving a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious offense. DUI license suspension is mandatory for even your first DUI offense. A DUI second offense charge imposes even stricter license suspension penalties. Hiring a DUI lawyer helps you navigate your charges and possibly get reduced fines and penalties.
What questions are important to ask a DUI attorney when you are caught driving under the influence? Is a hardship license lawyer capable of getting you restricted driving privileges? Knowing how to locate DUI lawyers and how much they cost are important steps for your case. Read ahead to learn how to find a great DUI lawyer today.
The acronym DUI stands for driving under the influence. DWI stands for either driving while intoxicated or driving while impaired, depending on the state in which you are arrested. Both DUIs and DWIs are serious offenses regardless of the state involved or which acronym is applied to your offense. Hiring a DWI lawyer or DUI attorney is almost always the right decision to make.
What does a DUI lawyer do to help you?
The primary job description of any defense or criminal law-based attorney is to help defend you when you are charged with a crime. DUI laws are strict and designed specifically to dissuade you from driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol ever again. DUI laws vary in each state as well.
Laws are complicated and the legal system is challenging to navigate for people with no legal background, training or education. A DWI lawyer is a trained professional with experience in the legal system. Lawyers also have connections and reputations with local judges and court systems.
DUI attorneys also understand loopholes in state laws and what to look for regarding potential mistakes made by arresting or participating law enforcement officers.
For example, arresting officers are required to follow specific protocols when charging you with a DUI offense. Specific language and phrasing is used when enacting a DUI arrest. Your DUI lawyer looks for any reason to get your charges dropped and fines, penalties and suspension reduced.
Certain laws also allow for driver education classes as a means of reducing certain penalties. Representing yourself in a DUI case is almost always a mistake. Hiring a DUI attorney helps you:
- Navigate the court process.
- Fill out paperwork accurately.
- File appeals when applicable.
- Strategize to reduce your fines and penalties.
- Reduce your DUI license suspension length and/or apply for a hardship license.
