After a DUI arrest, there’s often a lot of confusion and uncertainty — mostly because it’s a legal matter and the legal system is notoriously tough to navigate and understand. The consequences of driving under the influence can be dire, so it’s important to understand what you’re facing and what to do next after you’ve been accused of DUI. One of the most common questions that people have after they’ve been arrested for DUI is whether or not they’re going to need a lawyer. Here are three times you definitely will.
1. If you’re not going to plead guilty.
If you aren’t going to plead guilty, you definitely need a lawyer. In most of the United States, the legal limit for driving under the influence is 0.08% blood alcohol content (BAC). If you took a breathalyzer test and it was very high — like twice the legal limit — chances are you’re better off pleading guilty. If you don’t want to under any circumstance, you’ll definitely need a lawyer to represent you in court.
2. If you’re unsure of what to do next.
Another scenario in which you’re probably going to need to hire a lawyer is if you aren’t sure what to do next. If at any point during the DUI process you aren’t sure what’s happening, you should call an experienced local DUI defense attorney to help you through the process and advise you about your best course of action.
3. To negotiate a plea bargain.
If you plan on negotiating a plea bargain, this is another time you’re definitely going to want to hire a DUI defense lawyer. In some cases, the details of the incident in question can be inconclusive, like conflicting witness statements or a faulty sobriety chemical test could mean you get the charges reduced to something like reckless driving, which means you’ll face fewer consequences.
Have you hired a DUI criminal defense attorney in any of these cases? Feel free to share your experience with us in the comments section below. Continue.
