Getting the right attorney in many situations can be the difference between winning and losing a case, but when it comes to charges for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI), the right attorney can be the difference between winning or losing your freedom, among other things. It’s crucial to find an attorney with experience in these cases and a track record of winning.
Fighting for Your Case
Some people mistakenly believe that when you get charged with a DUI you have no choice but to accept the punishment. However, a good attorney knows that just getting charged with this crime does not mean you are necessarily guilty, and someone with the right kind of experience fighting these charges knows that there are plenty of defenses against the seemingly insurmountable ‘evidence’ that law enforcement might claim to have against you. For that reason it’s important to contact an attorney immediately after your arrest for a DUI. Don’t speak to the police until you have an attorney present, and despite all the pressure that law enforcement is likely to put on you, don’t admit to anything.
A Strategic Approach
Any attorney can technically represent you in your DUI case, but if you hire an attorney with no experience with DUI cases, chances are that he or she will not know how to defend you. Someone with the right experience who has worked these types of cases (and won) will be better equipped to create a strategy for you moving forward. A DUI attorney in Salt Lake City knows exactly what types of evidence are often unreliable, what legal strategies are most likely to result in dropped charges or exoneration, and how to recognize a good plea bargain in situations where that is the best option.
Someone on Your Side
The legal system is confusing and trying to navigate it on your own often results in punishments that are far worse for you as the defendant than they would be with a knowledgeable DUI attorney. Finding an attorney who knows the law, knows what kinds of defenses are most likely to succeed, and also knows the local prosecutors and judges means you have someone on your side fighting for your best interest throughout the entire case.
The punishment for DUI can be severe, including a felony conviction that remains on your record, steep fines and even jail time or loss of your driving privileges. Immediately after you get arrested for a DUI, contact an attorney.