If you have been arrested for DUI and are thinking about the best way to resolve the case, you need to first understand your choices. And, not only do you need to know what options you have, you also need to know how exercising each of those choices can impact your day to day life. When you have a good understand of how the process works, and the likely outcome, you will be in a position to decide what is best for you. A good DUI defense attorney can help you make this decision, by going over the facts of your case with you and explaining how the law is applied to your facts.
Two important choices that every DUI defendant should make about their case include the following:
- Whether to plea: many first time offenders can negotiate a plea agreement that allows them to stay out of jail, while still being punished. Most times this requires the defendant to go on probation, which could include the requirement to attend drug and/or alcohol school and also to have an interlock device installed in their car. If you keep your nose clean during probation, and do what is expected of you, at the end of your term you can expect to have the charge reduced or maybe even dismissed.
- Whether to have a trial: if the plea deal offered is not to your liking, you do have the option of having a trial. If you make this choice, it is critical to remember that the decision of the Court might include sentencing you to some time behind bars. This is not an attractive option for most people, and if the facts are right it could be to your advantage to enter a plea.
The only way to decide what to do is to have a qualified DUI defense attorney look over your case. When all of the facts are laid out plainly, a smart choice can be made. We will let you know what you can expect, and offer our advice as to what is best for your particular circumstances. For help with DUI defense, call our office today.
For more information about how to defend a DUI, call an experienced defense attorney in Stuart and the Treasure Coast. We offer an initial consultation for no charge, and look forward to helping you resolve your case in a satisfactory way.