How A Lawyer Helps Fight A DUI Charge

When you are arrested for driving under the influence, your life as you know it comes to a stop. You cannot see your family, you cannot work, and you are stuck in a jail cell with strangers. The DUI laws have gotten more severe with time, making it more difficult to get out of jail and get on with your life. Trying to talk to the judge on your own is not a good idea. If you want the best chance of getting out, you should consider hiring a DUI lawyer. Here are just a few ways a legal representative can help.

Fight the Arrest

The first thing your lawyer will do for you is to fight the arrest. They will look over the arrest record and look for things to question. They may find the process was not properly done, there was no reason for the police to stop you, or that you were not actually driving at the time. If there is a problem with the way you were stopped or arrested, the prosecutor may have no choice but to drop the charges. 

Fight the Test

To be arrested for drunk driving, there must be some type of test that shows your blood alcohol level was above the legal limit for driving. Your lawyer may check that the breathalyzer machine was recently checked and that it was properly calibrated. They might also make sure that the test was administered correctly. If you were given a blood test, your lawyer will question when the blood was drawn. After drinking, blood alcohol levels rise over time. If the test was not administered immediately, the attorney may be able to question whether the result was accurate in regards to when you were driving; you may have been able to make it home before the level was too high.

Negotiate a Lower Charge

When all else fails, the lawyer may be able to negotiate a lower charge with the prosecutor. This is often possible if it is your first DUI or if your blood alcohol level was not too high. Instead of a DUI, you may be charged with reckless driving and given a fine instead of jail time. It is also possible for the charge to be lowered if you agree to attend classes or some type of rehab program.

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, remain calm. The first thing you should consider doing is contacting a DUI lawyer and letting them take care of things for you.

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