Defending Yourself Against A DUI Charge
Individuals often assume that they will need to purposely commit a major crime in order to find themselves at the mercy of the criminal justice system. Unfortunately, a DUI charge can be a serious legal matter that individuals may inadvertently find themselves facing. To ensure you are ready for the day that you may face a DUI charge, there is some information that you will want to possess.
Should You Just Plead Guilty To The DUI Charge?
Individuals that are facing DUI charges will often assume that pleading guilty is the only option that they will have. While it may seem as though there are no legal options for getting out of this charge, there are benefits to discussing your options with an attorney prior to pleading guilty. An attorney may be able to negotiate lower charges and fines. If you plead guilty, you will lose these options as the case will move directly into the sentencing phase.
What If You Are Worried About Paying For A DUI Attorney?
There are costs involved with defending yourself against a DUI charge, but it may not be as difficult for you to pay for this defense as you may assume. Some defense attorneys will offer their clients a flat fee for defending against a basic DUI charge. In situations where the case is more involved and an hourly rate is required, may attorneys will offer a sensible billing schedule. If you suspect that you will have difficulties paying for this representation, you should let your attorney know at the start so that they will be able to discuss their payment options with you.
When Should You Request To Speak To Your Attorney?
After you have been arrested, you will need to be extremely careful with what you say as it can be easy to accidentally incriminate yourself. For this reason, you should request to speak with your attorney as soon as possible, and you should avoid answering any questions. Individuals will often assume that being nice and cooperative will always be the right choice, but it is important to avoid incriminating yourself.
A DUI charge is a serious matter, and you must be ready to quickly respond to this situation. However, this will be impossible if you are not informed about the intricacies of defending yourself against DUI charges. Knowing the need to request an attorney as soon as possible, the need to avoid pleading guilty without discussing it with your attorney and the fact that there may be payment options available for hiring a DUI attorney can help you with effectively mounting a defense.