Most people don’t face criminal charges every day, so if you have been arrested for a crime it is only natural to wonder what the punishment will be and how you should best defend the case. In order to assess your case and determine likely outcomes it is necessary to look at the specific facts of your situation. No two cases are the same, but the range of punishment for cases similar to yours is something you can learn by having a skilled defense attorney look at your case. Being informed is the best way to make a decision that works for you, and we can help you understand the charges against you and develop a defense strategy that works.
One of the most common types of cases faced by people from all walks of life is a DUI. Three things you can expect if you are charged with DUI include:
- If this is your first DUI you might lose your driver’s license for up to one year. With every DUI arrest the police will take your license and give you a piece of paper that allows you to drive for a limited amount of time. You do have the ability to fight the revocation of your license, but you have to act fast. You only have ten days to ask for a review of the revocation, and if you miss this deadline you will not be able to ask again.
- A first time offender can expect the fines and costs to be in the range of $1,000.00.
- Many cases are resolved by placing the defendant on probation. This could include a requirement to attend drug and/or alcohol school, and you will probably have to have an interlock device installed in your car. This device requires you to blow into it before your car’s ignition will start, and the purpose is to prevent you from driving after drinking again. The length of your probation depends on your case, but compared to spending time in jail most defendants find the time period to be reasonable.
If this is not your first offense, you should expect the punishment to be more severe. Many subsequent offenders are not offered modified rights to drive, but that does not mean this result is inevitable. For help resolving your DUI case, whatever the facts may be, call our office. We have experience negotiating acceptable terms of probation and keeping drivers on the road. Let us help you today.
If you have questions about what to expect if you get arrested for DUI, call a competent criminal defense attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast for help. Call us to schedule an appointment