When you are arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), you can be very scared. This can be worse especially if it is your first time getting arrested. You may not be aware of the steps that you can take in this situation and the consequences that this DUI may have on your life. Some of the possible consequences of a DUI charge include suspension of your driving license or even jail time. A DUI may also cost you a lot of money in paying court fees or penalties.
When you are facing a DUI charge, your job may also be at stake. You may miss going to work when you are following your court proceedings. This can put your future and that of your family in the state and this can be very risky. To avoid such consequences, it is important to know the steps that you can take in case you find yourself in such a situation. This article will take you through some of the steps that you can take when you get arrested for driving under the influence (DUI).
1. Contact a DUI Attorney
When you have been arrested for driving under the influence, it is important to contact a DUI attorney because this is their area of expertise. Hiring a general attorney when you are facing a DUI charge is not a good idea because they may not give your case the attention that it requires. The DUI attorney can help prove some important points in your case like whether the breathalyzer was faulty.
The attorney can also help you in case you failed the field sobriety test. If you are anxious during the field sobriety test, you may fail in it. If this is the case, your DWI & DUI defense attorneys in NJ can help to prove your innocence in court by gathering all the facts needed for the case. The DUI attorney can also help you with court proceedings and help you to resume your normal life.
2. Look for Potential Evidence
It is important to gather information and evidence that may be helpful in your case. Such information can be useful for your defense. Share this information with your DUI attorney who will examine whether the evidence is relevant for DUI charges. Some of the evidence that you can gather include the receipt of the drinks that you took at the bar or the security footage from the bar that shows how much you drank.
3. Identify Some Witnesses
Another factor that may help in your DUI defense is having witnesses. It is good to try and remember some of the people that you were with. Inform your DUI attorney about such people and the attorney can reach out to them to check if they have information that might be useful in your case. These witnesses may testify that you didn’t have too much to drink when you were drinking.
4. Do Not Talk To the Police without Your Lawyer
It is never a good idea to talk to the police without the presence of your lawyer. It is good to keep in mind the fact that there is nothing that you can tell the police after your arrest that can make them drop the arrest. Whatever you say may be used against you in the court of law. If you have some important information about the arrest that you want to share, it is advisable to only share this information with your attorney. The attorney can then use this information to help in your case.
5. Listen to Your Attorney
Whenever you are facing DUI charges and contact your DUI defense attorney, it is important to listen to them. Your attorney has your interests at heart and they try to do all that is in their power to keep you out of jail and from facing other consequences due to the DUI. The attorney is loyal to you and therefore it is important to trust that they are acting in your interest. Ensuring that you have a trustworthy attorney is one way to help you win your case.
6. Avoid Any Other Trouble
When you are facing DUI charges, it is important to stay out of trouble. Staying out of trouble will help with your case like during a plea bargain. Follow any instructions that you are given like not drinking and when the prosecutor learns that you have not been in any other troubles, they may be more considerate in your case.
In summary, DUI charges can have major consequences in your life that may include penalties or jail time. When you are arrested for a DUI charge, it is important to stay calm, contact your lawyer, and avoid talking to the police when your lawyer is not present. Staying out of trouble will also be helpful in your case proceedings.
