Getting a DUI can be a costly and stressful experience. If you’re facing charges, here are nine things you should take into consideration as you prepare to undergo your day in court.
- Be Tight-Lipped. You should not talk about your case with anyone unless you’re in discussions with a DUI defense attorney who you’ve hired or you’re considering hiring. If your case goes to trial, anything you’ve told anyone can become evidence in the court of law, including statements you make to witnesses, police officers, court officials, or jail staffers.
- Local Counsel is Imperative. Laws vary across the board. States, counties, and other jurisdictions are all governed by their own laws, which means you will want to employ the services of a lawyer who specializes in DUIs within your locale. Attorneys from other parts of Caifornia, and those who do not specialize in DUIs, may not understand the intricacies specific to your charges as they relate to your specific county and state.
If you’ve been arrested for DUI in Los Angeles, contact Jon Artz now at 310-820-1315 or fill out the web form to discuss your case in confidence.
- Try for a Public Defender. If you make a low income and have very few assets, you may qualify for a public defender. Bear in mind that you’ll be required to show proof of your inability to pay a private attorney, and if you qualify for a public defender, you’ll be one of many defendants in that person’s caseload because they have many cases. Public defenders cannot do the suspension issues at the DMV either.
- Severity of Charges is Important. There are many types of DUI charges. If you are a first-time offender, and you were pulled over in an incident where no one was hurt, you will be charged with a misdemeanor. These charges are much easier than cases where someone was injured or killed; this type of case results in felony DUI charges associated with longer sentences and other serious consequences. In either case, a DUI attorney should be considered because of the severity of the consequences.
- Costs are High. Fighting DUI charges will be costly. Prepare for at least $4,000 – $5,000 to hire a competent and experienced private attorney. Court fines and costs can be as much as $10,000 factoring in $2,000 or more to the court, $500 or more for an alcohol program, possible interlock on your car, and increased insurance.
- The Police Report is Important. To get the police report from the court and or the DMV is important.
- Consider Bargaining Agreements. DUI attorneys are particularly helpful when it comes time to bargain your case. Plea bargains may result in less severe penalties than if you were to go to trial, but this can be a gamble if you do not have an experienced attorney at your side. Negotiations for reductions in charges are something you should leave to the experts. It is important that the defense attorney has credibility, that the prosecutor knows that he goes to trial in DUI cases and wins (most defense attorneys don’t.)
- Prepare for Consequences. You may lose your driving privileges or be required to have an interlock device installed in your vehicle.
- Factor in Your Past. If you have been convicted of a DUI in the past, your consequences are likely to be more severe.
A DUI is a serious charge, and it can alter the rest of your life. In Southern California, an experienced DUI attorney mean the difference between a reasonable penalty and a life-changing event. If you’re concerned about the charges you’re facing, talk to a DUI attorney today.
