Did you know there are 1.5 million arrests for impaired driving annually in the U.S.? So says The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
When considering how strongly the don’t-drink-and-drive message has been proclaimed, it’s clear that no one has any excuse. The message has gone far and wide. But far too many people get behind the wheel of their cars after drinking alcohol. For most U.S. states, the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit is 0.08% BAC. But the limit in Utah is even lower at 0.05 BAC.
Unfortunately, some people overestimate their ability to drive a car when impaired, while others underestimate how much they had to drink and make the mistake of driving home afterward. If you drink alone or with friends and need to get home, don’t roll the dice and gamble. The stakes are too high since they can range from damaging your car to fatally harming yourself or others.
If, after a night of partying or celebrating, you’re stopped by police and charged with a DUI, here are five reasons you need a DUI lawyer. Trying to represent yourself is a risk not worth taking.
1. DUI Lawyers Know How the Legal System Works
When hiring a DUI lawyer, you’ll have a legal professional in your corner who knows the law inside and out. Remember that a DUI charge is a criminal offense. While some people represent themselves in court, that scenario only works on crime dramas that unfold on the small screen. In real life, you need a DUI lawyer who will leverage their legal experience and help you navigate the legal system toward a successful outcome.
2. DUI Lawyers Can Explain What You’re Up Against
When facing a DUI charge, one of the most stressful things is contemplating what’s at stake. If convicted of a DUI offense, you could face license suspension, probation, fines, mandatory DUI classes, imprisonment, and more. A DUI lawyer will explain what you’re up against.
You’ll want a legal professional who won’t sugarcoat anything. It’s vital to know what’s at stake, the possible outcomes, the likelihood of different outcomes, and how a lawyer can help.
3. DUI Lawyers Can Reduce Your Stress Load
You’ll have a lower stress level when a DUI lawyer is in your corner. Trying to represent yourself in court, when you’re unfamiliar with the law and courtroom decorum, will likely hurt rather than help your cause. DUI charges carry serious penalties. But your odds of achieving a better outcome will increase when you have a DUI lawyer in court or at the negotiating table.
4. DUI Lawyers Could Get Your Charges Dismissed
A DUI lawyer may get a judge to dismiss your case. If there were any procedural missteps by the authorities, for instance, that could be enough to invalidate the case against you. It’s not a given that a case will be dismissed. But if there are any grounds for that outcome, a DUI lawyer will pursue that strategy so the case gets tossed out.
5. DUI Lawyer Can Push for Lower Sentences or Penalties
Another reason to hire a DUI lawyer is that the legal professional can help reduce the sentence or penalties. Depending on the case against you, the potential legal outcomes could be dire. However, a DUI lawyer can work toward reducing the extent of any negative outcomes.
It pays to retain the services of a DUI lawyer if you’re facing DUI charges. You can’t afford to go the self-representation route in court. Again, you can leave that option to the actors on TV shows. Going it alone in real life is one way to increase your odds of an unfavorable outcome.
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