LawyersBay
Many folks get caught drunk driving even if they are confident in their mental and physical abilities to handle a vehicle after a couple of drinks. Officers who stop these vehicles will undoubtedly take action because you are breaking the law. Most people think they can get away with a light sentence, especially if it is their first time, but that is not always the case.
The truth is, you need an experienced DUI lawyer to help bail you out of these situations, as the repercussions could be damaging if you attempt to handle the case on your own. That’s because ordinary people need to gain in-depth knowledge of the law like these legal experts do, making it impossible to mount a solid defense by themselves.
The ensuing points better explain the importance of such attorneys in drunk driving cases.
Read More: How to Avoid the Most Common Mistakes in a DUI Case
Contents
Unmatched legal expertise
Legal professionals specializing in these cases have seen it all. They know how the court system works, what obstacles to expect, and how to navigate them easily. They also have a firm grasp of the law itself, being able to predict outcomes based on their knowledge of current cases and statutes.
Invariably, hiring someone who knows their craft is vital because they can advise you about all aspects of your case, from whether there should be bail set to handling any negotiations with prosecutors.
Best possible outcome
DUI legal experts know how to negotiate with the prosecution and represent you in court. They know what questions they should ask to get you the best possible outcome, and they are familiar with your options for dealing with the situation. For example, lawyers can ask that prior convictions be expunged from a client’s record so that no one else ever has access to it again, provided it applies in the case.
Similarly, suppose you are facing a felony conviction that can carry a mandatory jail sentence of three, four, six, or ten years. In that case, a capable attorney can reduce the charges to a misdemeanor. They will also work hard to ensure their clients do not have their driving licenses revoked or suspended.
You will spend less time in the courtroom
Experienced attorneys can represent you all of the time, saving you the emotional trouble of having to go to court again. This is often regardless of the severity of the charges in an alcohol-impaired driving case. It also saves your family from this stressful ordeal since many people cannot watch court proceedings involving a loved one.
They handle all kinds of cases
Attorneys specializing in such cases can handle all kinds of charges, from first and second or third misdemeanors to vehicular manslaughter. Many also take up commercial DUI cases, wherein people are caught with alcohol on their breaths while driving a commercial vehicle.
However, professionals specializing in drunk driving cases are not limited to them. Still, they can also effectively handle criminal issues, such as white-collar crimes, assault and battery, elder abuse and neglect, drug crime, etc.
Read More: How to Choose the Best DUI Lawyer
Pick a reputable lawyer
The most pivotal thing you should do when looking for a DUI lawyer is to check their credentials and overall experience. A reliable one will not only have the proper credentials but will have handled thousands of cases in their profession. With that done, you can look at past results of cases handled by them for an idea of how likely they are to achieve favorable outcomes for your case.
Positive client testimonials with the results the attorney got them will also tell you about their capability and expertise, so keep a watch for these. Also, reputable firms typically provide free consultations to help clients understand their cases better and explain their specific options. It helps them gauge how efficiently the legal expert can handle their case and the sort of outcome to expect.
Lastly, know that a reputable firm will provide you with the best possible defense to ensure you receive a reduced sentence or have the charges dropped entirely.