Acting fast to protect your rights after an arrest is important for many reasons. For example, in the case of a DUI, if you do not ask for an administrative review of your license revocation within a certain time, you are prohibited from doing so. This means you will lose your right to drive for a period of time, on top of having to defend the criminal DUI charges against you. Fighting a DUI may sound like an impossible task, but it can be done with success. The key is to find the right legal professional to help you, and to do so as quickly as possible after the arrest.
If you, or someone you know, are arrested for DUI it is critical that you do these three things:
- Be careful what you say to the officer that pulls you over. You do not want to offer up too much information, but do want to show the officer that you are willing to cooperate. When answering questions, keep in mind that most things you say will be used against you later, so pick your words wisely.
- If you refuse the breath test, know that you will be required to take a blood test at the police station and those results will be used to establish the level of alcohol in your bloodstream.
- Call for help getting out of jail, and in recovering your vehicle if it was towed. The sooner you request return of your car, the less you will have to pay in storage and other fees. It is also important to get out of jail as soon as possible so you can begin developing a defense to the case against you. In some instances you may need the assistance of a bail bondsman in order to pay the fee required for release, and in other situations a good friend for family member may be able to help.
And, as mentioned, you must make a request for a review of loss of your license right away. With every DUI case there is also a revocation of driving privileges. In most instances a driver can ask for and be granted a limited license, which allows them to drive under certain circumstances. Most notably, a limited license will allow you to drive to and from work and also to school. But, if you miss the deadline to ask for this type of license you will not be able to do so later and will have wait until the revocation period ends. The amount of time a driver’s license is suspended for depends on the case, so call a knowledgeable DUI defense attorney today to find out what to expect in 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.