Will I need a DUI attorney?

If you’re wondering whether or not it’s smart to work with a DUI attorney, then your answer is probably “yes.” Are you charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs? If so, then it is a great idea for you to contact a DUI attorney who is familiar with handling DUI cases. In California, as in most states within the US, the charge of DUI is a very serious one. If you are charged and convicted of DUI, you will face some lasting repercussions. With the serious repercussions, it is extremely crucial that you fight the charge, even if you are technically guilty.

Plead guilty, not guilty or no contest

If you are booked with DUI then you will be prosecuted. You’re going to have to enter a guilty plea at arraignment. What this means is professing innocence or guilt, or pleading not guilty. When you plead “no contest” it means the fact that you can understand there is enough evidence for your prosecutor to convict you, yet you are not pleading guilty. Once you have been processed, you will be released on bail, at least in most cases. Your DUI attorney can work with the courts to set up bail for you. If you are unable to post bail yourself, you can seek the help of a bail bondsman, who posts bail in your case; however, you will have to pay a percentage to the surety. This is usually ten to twenty percent. Once you plead “not guilty,” you will be released and scheduled for a court date where you will need to return for a pre-trial hearing. When you plead “guilty” or “uncontested,” you will return later for sentencing.

DUI Penalties

There is a selection of different penalties that can be imposed on you for committing the offense of DUI. To start with, your license will be revoked for a set period of time. You may be forced to serve a mandatory jail sentence. They will impose large fines on you. You may be required to attend drug or alcohol recovery classes. You may be required to equip your motor vehicle with a special device that will not turn on the ignition when you take a breathalyzer test. These are just some of the penalties you may face. The circumstances surrounding your DUI charge will have a lot to do with the stiffness of the penalties. Possibly the worst thing that will happen to you is that you will end up with a criminal record that can stay with you for several years, making it difficult to rent a house, get a job and much more.

If you are facing DUI charges, don’t do it yourself. Talk to a DUI attorney as soon as possible to help you formulate your defense.