Not everyone knows how to act when arrested, and if it is your first arrest feelings of anxiety and confusion are common. But how you react could have an impact on your case, and the impact may not necessarily be positive. Criminal defendants are notorious for making mistakes regarding their case, because the experience is frightening and most people accused of a crime are angry with the circumstances.
In a DUI case, if you are able to avoid making these common four mistakes, your chances of success will be increased:
- Failing to act quickly, especially with regard to your driving privileges. A DUI case is a two part case, the criminal case against you and an administrative proceeding to revoke your driver’s license. You can seek a review of the revocation, but if you do not do it within ten days of being arrested, you will not be allowed to later. This makes acting quickly one of the most important things you can do to protect your rights after a DUI arrest.
- Believing there is no chance of defending the case because the breath test was positive. Many test results are unreliable, and many factors contribute to whether the results should be accepted. If you “give up” and accept the result without question, you might miss out on an effective defense.
- Driving without a license. If you failed to ask for a review of your license suspension, and continue to drive, you are placing your entire case in jeopardy.
- Talking too much. It can be tempting to try and “talk your way out of a DUI”, but the result of this action is more often than not that the defendant gives up valuable evidence to the police. It is important to answer questions and cooperate, but you should limit the information you provide at the scene.
Many cases for DUI can be resolved favorably, but it does take a little work. The best thing you can do is to seek assistance from a competent DUI defense attorney. Call us today to learn more about your case and what you can do to avoid making a mistake that will hurt your defense efforts.
For more information about DUI cases, call our office today. Contact us today schedule an appointment with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast. The first visit is a free initial consultation.