A DUI charge can cost you your driver’s license and make it very challenging to get certain jobs. Plus, it can lead to a bunch of severe criminal penalties too. Right from the start, a DUI arrest can be confusing, mainly if you have never been in this kind of situation before, thus seeking professional help becomes a necessity.
You may feel that your life as you know it has been turned upside down, and all hope has been lost. But, that’s not the case! If you’ve been arrested, panicking won’t help, but a DUI lawyer can! Let an attorney help you get through the legal process quickly, saving you time and money in the long run and possibly even avoiding a criminal conviction altogether!
If you are facing a DUI charge in Athens, hire an experienced criminal defense attorney in Athens, Alabama from the DUI Athens Legal Group today! But for now, let’s have a look at the possibilities of how an Athens DUI defense lawyer can help you when you’ve been arrested for DUI and are facing charges.
Compiling The Evidence
If you get pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving, you may be asked to take a breathalyzer test. If you refuse, your license will likely be suspended. To fight the charges, your lawyer will compile evidence to show that extenuating circumstances led to you refusing the breathalyzer.
For example: If you have a medical condition (such as diabetes) that might make drinking and driving dangerous, your lawyer can argue that it was unsafe for you to submit to testing. However, if alcohol is found in your system despite having such a condition or other factors indicating impairment, you could still face charges even with such an excuse.
But in those cases, your attorney might be able to help you by showing that the arresting officer incorrectly administered the test (in case of a false positive).
Challenging A License Suspension
Understanding how challenging a license suspension can affect your case is essential. The biggest concern is that without your driver’s license, it may be difficult to keep up with court appearances and maintain in-person contact with your lawyer. That makes it much more likely for you to fall behind on your obligations – which will only hurt your case in the long run.
Your best bet is to find a qualified attorney before deciding whether or not to challenge your suspension. Once you know what legal options are available to you, there’s less risk of losing your license for non-driving-related reasons.
If you still choose to fight, make sure to do so as soon as possible after receiving notice of your license suspension. It takes several weeks for most states to process challenges.
Helping You Avoid A DUI Charge On Your Record
If you’re facing a potential DUI charge, your life can be affected in many ways. Not only could you end up serving time in prison, but you’ll also have a criminal record that will cause difficulties for years to come when applying for work and financing your education.
To avoid this, hire an experienced lawyer as soon as possible after receiving notice of an impending DUI charge. While it might seem like a lot of money to spend on legal representation, hiring an attorney is one of the best investments you can make for yourself and your future.
If your legal defense is successful, you won’t ever have to worry about your DUI arrest in the future – it won’t appear on the record when you’re looking for a job or educational opportunities.
Minimizing Fines For A DUI
If you’re convicted of drunk driving, there are serious consequences. On top of being slapped with license suspension, community service, and possibly jail time, you’ll also be facing hefty fines. One way to avoid having your license suspended is to find a lawyer to minimize your fines and other penalties if you’re found guilty of driving under the influence.
This might mean challenging evidence in court or helping you negotiate with prosecutors to reduce your sentence. A lawyer may even be able to help you avoid a conviction altogether—or get it reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor, which could save you thousands in fines and legal fees down the road.
This, of course, applies in cases where avoiding a conviction is out of the question, but it does help in that you won’t have to bear as much burden if you were to receive the full punishment.
Reducing The Jail Time
Things can go south quickly when you are pulled over for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Police officers follow protocol after arresting you for driving under the influence, but they also want to get your blood alcohol level as high as possible. Here are a few things that may help reduce jail time after a drunk driving arrest.
First, never submit to a breathalyzer or other tests until you’ve had an opportunity to speak with your lawyer. If you refuse these tests (let’s say you did indeed have a drink), it could lead to additional charges being filed against you – best to speak to your lawyer on the spot to pick the best approach to the situation.
But if you have been drinking and still agree to take the test (and it turns out positive) without speaking with your attorney, there is still hope for reducing your sentence. It is best to reach out to your attorney and never talk directly with the arresting officer (regarding your guilt).
Thoroughly Defending Your Position
DUI lawyers dedicate much of their careers to defending people who have been charged with DUI. By retaining such legal counsel early on in your case, you can ensure that every aspect of your defense will be meticulously planned and argued before an impartial judge and jury.
You don’t want to wait until after you’ve had your day in court to seek legal advice; by then, it might be too late.
Hire An Experienced Defense Attorney In Athens, Alabama To Help You Avoid A DUI Charge!
Contact a DUI lawyer immediately if you face drunk driving charges. They can advise you of all available options – from pleading guilty right away to going all-out for an acquittal – and develop a strategic approach based on what would work best for you and your family. Hiring a defense attorney in Athens, Alabama can help you get your charge reduced or even dropped altogether, i.e., you can avoid a criminal conviction on your record.
If you’re facing drunk driving charges, it’s in your best interest to call a competent Athens DUI defense lawyer from the DUI Athens Legal Group as soon as possible so that we can begin building your defense right away.
Consultation is free, don’t wait up!