What Can a DUI Attorney Do For Me

DUI (driving under the influence) offenses can carry big penalties. A first offense in many states can involve hefty fines, loss of driving privileges and even jail time. It makes sense to enlist the aid of a skilled DUI attorney before you face a judge in a DUI case. What can an attorney do for you? Below are just a few examples:

1. Lend experience and connections. The chief advantage to hiring a DUI attorney is the experience and contacts he or she brings to your case. If you are a heating and air conditioning professional, you wouldn't expect someone outside of the industry to be able to fix their furnace. Likewise, you wouldn't trust a medical diagnosis from your hair dresser. Neither should you expect to be able to provide expert legal representation for yourself without legal training. What's more: defendants are generally too emotional invested in their own cases to provide an impartial defense. This doesn't mean you're not smart enough. It just means that a skilled attorney has more experience and training in DUI defense strategies.

An attorney with experience in DUI cases also knows who to talk with in the court system to achieve the best outcome for your case. Assuming you've chosen your attorney carefully, he or she is someone with whom the court is familiar and view with respect.

2. Plead to reduced charges. Many, if not most, DUI cases are settled before they ever see a courtroom. An attorney with experience in DUI cases knows what he or she can ask for and whom to ask, something that would be all but impossible for a defendant representing him or herself.

3. Find loopholes and errors. No one is perfect--and that includes the officer(s) who arrested you and talked with you at the police station after your DUI charge. An attorney with experience in DUI cases can spot any inconsistencies or procedural errors that could cause your case to be dismissed.

So, if you happen to find yourself arrested on a DUI charge, don't just throw yourself on the mercy of the court and defend yourself. The money you spend on a DUI attorney could save you money in fines, not to mention time in jail.