Most of us know someone, or know someone who knows someone who has been arrested for DUI. So if it happens to you, your first instinct might be to call a friend who has been through it before or knows someone with a prior DUI. While it is not a bad idea to call a friend for help, it can be detrimental to your case to rely on that person for all of your legal advice. No two cases are the same, and so the best way to handle your case is to let a qualified legal professional examine the facts and take on the task of defending you. When you let an experienced DUI defense attorney handle your case, you avoid making a mistake, you can rest easy knowing that your case is being given the aggressive defense it deserves, and you can also take comfort in knowing important deadlines are not overlooked.
The right DUI defense attorney will also make sure that you are kept informed on the status of your case, and that you understand the process. Five DUI truths you can expect to learn during the procedure are:
- Probation is not something you can blow off: if you violate your probation, it will be revoked and you will be charged with the new crime of probation violation. You can also expect that the original DUI charge will now be fully prosecuted, without any special treatment. A violation can be actual, which happens when a new crime (like robbery) is committed or it can be technical. A technical violation can be hard to know about, so it is best to make sure you understand all of the terms of your probation before making the agreement. Sometimes something as seemingly minor as going out of town can be a technical violation of probation. This is not always the case, but being in the know is the best way to make sure you don’t have any problems while on probation. It is also a good idea to do things like signing up for educational courses done right away, the longer you wait the more likely you are to not complete this type of requirement on time.
- The police aren’t always right: it is in your best interest to question everything about your case, and that includes police behavior and actions. It might seem like an “attack” on our men and women in blue, or disrespectful to challenge a finding offered through the arresting officer, but you do have the right to make these challenges. When done through the proper legal channels though, you can rest assured your actions will not be considered improper.
- Breath tests can be wrong: not every test result is valid, and it is up to you to question the results in your case. There are often times other reasons for the result, and it would be a shame to forego attacking the validity of the test result and letting your case rely on a “false positive”. We know where to look for errors, and can help pinpoint the inaccuracies in your case.
- Only “drunks” are pulled over for DUI: nothing could be farther from the truth! Honest and hardworking people are ticketed for DUI every day, and everyone deserves a defense. We understand that sometimes it can be embarrassing to get a DUI, but beating yourself up will not help your case.
- You can still drive with a DUI: it just might take some doing to get it done. If your license was revoked when you were arrested, there are steps you can take to get it back or to get a modified license. We can help.
If you have questions about DUI cases, contact one of our knowledgeable DUI defense attorneys today. We will listen to your concerns, and address them as needed. Call us today and let us help with your case.
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.