4 Steps to Take If You Get a DUI
Everyone makes mistakes, but some are bigger than others. If you have been caught drinking and driving, you have not only put other drivers on the road in jeopardy but have caused yourself serious legal troubles.
While there are surely consequences from a DUI that will affect your daily life, like being restricted from driving a vehicle, the worst ramifications will be on the legal scale. You could end up doing time in jail if you don’t get the guidance that you need.
If you have been charged with a DUI, it’s important to get the help you need from a legal expert like the professionals at DeLuca, Ricciuti. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the crucial steps you need to take if you have been charged with a DUI.
Find a Lawyer
Whether you are a first-time offender or have been charged with a felony DUI, it’s in your best interest to find a board-certified DUI lawyer. These experts have the experience and knowledge that you need to help you navigate the courts. When you go to court, your punishment may be dependent on the circumstances surrounding your arrest. Only a lawyer can clearly interpret the situation effectively to a court or jury. DUI cases can be complex, and it is in your interest to hire a qualified lawyer.
Contact a Bail Bondsman
In most cases, the driver should expect to be put in jail until their court hearing. You can contact a bail bondsman to help you get out of jail until your hearing. You will pay a fee to the bondsman and they will pay the courts your bail amount. If you are released on your “own recognizance,” you won’t need to pay bail, but you will have to sign a legal document stating that you will attend all future hearings on your case. Most first-time DUI penalties will not require a bail hearing.
Request a DMV Hearing
You have only 10 days following your DUI arrest to contact the DMV and request a review hearing for your license. If you don’t contact the DMV, your license will automatically be suspended. Each DUI case is different, so it’s important that you talk to your lawyer about your options. In some cases, your license will only be suspended for a few days, in other cases, you may lose your license for a year or more. Your DMV hearing will determine when you can have your license reinstated.
Prepare Your DUI Legal Case
When you are charged with a DUI, you will have to appear in court. It is in your best interest to have an attorney with you to help you navigate your hearing. You will need to prepare for your arraignment, where you will enter your plea to the courts.
If you are a first-time offender, your DUI charge may be reduced to a misdemeanor offense which generally includes a few days in jail, a fine of up to $500, and a probationary period on your driver’s license. Other judgments may include the suspension of your license for a period of time, or mandatory DUI driver’s courses to be completed.
If you have been arrested for a DUI, you need to follow these important steps to help protect your rights.
