If You’re Stopped for Drunk Driving…
March 12, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Almost everyone has been stopped by law enforcement at one time or another for a traffic violation. Whether the stop is for something as simple as a burned out headlight, or you didn’t come to a complete stop, we all know that feeling when we see the flashing lights in our rear-view mirror. Imagine how much worse that feeling is when you have had a little too much to drink. Every day I meet with people who have been charged with traffic violations and drunk driving offenses. As I explain to a client their rights, one of the comments I hear most is, I wish I had known that when I was stopped.
Many people are under-educated about the law, or even misinformed about their rights and what decisions they should make when they are stopped for a traffic offense. Many people think they should just do whatever the police tells them because they don’t have any other options. Below is a basic list of things to keep in mind when you are stopped for drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs. Laws will vary from state to state, and the following list is Colorado specific. Please check with a local attorney about the laws in your state.
1. You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to answer any questions the police ask you about where you were going, why they stopped you, or how much you have had to drink. Even from their very first contact, the police are trying to build a case against you. Always be polite with the officer, but do not make any statements about what happened, how much you have had to drink, or any other violation they are investigating.
After you provide the officer your drivers license, proof of insurance and registration, your best advice is to keep your mouth shut. When the officer stops you he is looking for any clue that you may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Even if you answer innocuous questions, the officer is looking for clues when you talk such as the smell of alcohol on your breath, or slow/slurred speech.
One of the officers first questions is almost always, How much have you had to drink tonight? Some of the most common answers to this question are, two beers, or, I had a couple with dinner. Many people erroneously think that if they minimize their use it wont look as bad, but by admitting to alcohol use you are helping law enforcement build a case against you.
2. Do not take any roadside sobriety tests. Roadside tests are voluntary. These tests are used to help the officer determine if you are under the influence and can also be used at trial and at the Department of Revenue/Motor Vehicle hearing against you. Do not provide the police with any additional evidence that can bolster their case. These tests often include eye tests, walk and turn, one leg stand, alphabet or counting tests.
This includes any preliminary breath tests (PBT) at the scene of the stop. The results of the PBT are not admissible in Court in Colorado because they are so inaccurate. However, the police use these tests to confirm their suspicion that you are under the influence, and to build their case against you for further tests that are admissible in Court.
3. If you do not take the mandatory chemical test, you could lose your license. In Colorado, if you do not take the mandatory chemical test of your breath or blood as is required under express consent laws, you will lose your license for a year in addition to any other license suspension imposed. The mandatory chemical tests include a blood test, a breath test or urinalysis. The mandatory breath test is different from the PBT, and is typically done on a large machine at the police station after an observation period is completed under strict regulations. If you don’t know if a test is required under the law, ask the officer. In many cases you would be best advised to submit to a chemical test of your blood. In Colorado, a second sample will be taken of your blood. This second sample is available to you to be tested at an independent lab. In many cases this second result can come back lower, or so different from the first test as to cast doubt onto the result of either test. These results can be used to your advantage in plea negotiations and at trial.
If you refuse the chemical test you can still be charged with drunk driving. Many people believe that if they don’t submit to a test, then the government will not be able to pursue a case against you for drunk driving. Prosecutors may still use all other evidence they obtained against you such as bad driving, smell of alcohol, visual clues of intoxication, roadsides tests, and even the fact that you refused the test can be used against you in Court.
4. You have a limited time to request a Department of Motor Vehicles/Department of Revenue hearing. If you are above the legal limit of a .08 BAC in Colorado two proceedings will begin against you, 1) the criminal process, and 2) the DMV/DOR process. Although the criminal process can carry hefty penalties such as fines, jail, community service, and alcohol classes, the DMV only has the power to suspend or revoke your driving privileges. You may say, Only? My ability to drive is a huge deal. That is why it is so important to request a DMV hearing before the time runs and the suspension automatically goes into effect.
In Colorado, you have seven days from the date of the results of the breath test to request a hearing or your license will automatically be revoked. For a blood test, the procedure is a little different. Whereas the results of a breath test are immediate it often takes a few weeks for blood results to come back from the lab. If you were above a .08 the police will forward your results to the DMV, and you will receive a notice via mail. This letter will have all instructions on how to request a hearing and a deadline by which the hearing must be requested. Whether you chose a breath test or blood test, you should request a hearing as soon as possible so you can explore all legal and factual defenses at the DMV/DOR hearing to protect your driving privileges.
When you request the DMV hearing you will receive a temporary permit that is valid until the date of the hearing. Remember, if you don’t request the hearing you will automatically lose your license. In many situations there is a legal or factual defense that can save your license if the proper arguments are presented at the hearing.
5. Hire an experienced Drunk Driving lawyer as soon as possible. A drunk driving case presents many highly complex legal and procedural issues. A plea or a conviction to a drunk driving charge can have lasting implications on your life, your license, and your freedom. It can also have many unforeseen consequences as well. An experienced drunk driving defense attorney will advise you at all stages of your case of potential pitfalls and other issues as they may arise in your case.
A Drunk driving defense lawyer will review your case for all legal and factual deficiencies in the governments case against you to help you present your best defense. The old saying that only a fool represents himself could not be more true. The earlier you hire an attorney, the better, so as to avoid making any costly mistakes early in the case.
Joshua McDowell is a Colorado Springs DUI Attorney practicing all criminal matters including, DUI defense, juvenile matters, felonies, and misdemeanors. Colorado DUI laws are complicated and is a criminal field that requires a very specialized knowledge of the law and it’s application to a criminal charge.
New Jersey DUI lawyer
March 11, 2010 | Leave a Comment
There are 2 ways you can be convicted for DUI/DWI in N. J. The first is by the police observing your driving pattern, pulling you over and administering a field sobriety test. The other is by mechanical means, like a blood test or breath test. If you test above the legal limit of 0.08% blood alcohol content, you’re going to need an aggressive New Jersey DUI lawyer to help you sort out the problem. This is serious.
Being a jack of all trades can be good, especially in something like home remodeling. But in the DUI defense business, the best ones practice DUI law, day in and day out. The drunk driving laws are tough in this state and you need someone who’s a professional in this area, specifically.
Driving under the influence is a serious offense in New Jersey. Conviction can cause mandatory fines and driving privilege suspension is automatic in some cases, no exceptions. It makes it tough to get to work when you have no license and, once at work, you might even find yourself the butt of the gossip around the water cooler.
If you’re a first offender and test above the legal limit may have to go to jail for at least 12 hours. They can’t keep you more than 48. You’ll receive a fine and maybe some community service duty. You will become part of the public record. Your life will be changed.
If a suspect refuses to submit to a breath test or blood test after a DUI arrest it may be admissible in court. There are serious consequences for a refusal regarding driving privileges.
The important thing is that DWI penalty charges are significant. You don’t hope to face them by yourself. In order to best defend your rights and independence, you should explore your options with a law firm who has a focused practice on DUI and DWI defense. In the end, this is your best bet to obtain the best result for the particular circumstances of your DUI legal scenario.
If you’re facing Driving under the influence or DWI charges in NJ, you need to learn your options. Talk to an experienced local New Jersey Driving under the influence attorney about what steps you should take.
What Your Seattle DUI Attorney Can Do For You
March 10, 2010 | Leave a Comment
If you’ve been charged with a Seattle DUI, you know you are facing some stiff penalties. A minimum of 1 day in jail and an $865 fine. A minimum license suspension of 90 day. High risk car insurance. It’s not a pretty picture.
Because the Legislature made the penalties so stiff, there is wiggle room to have your punishment lowered, particularly if you have good facts or have little criminal history. But you need someone to help. A DUI lawyer. In case you haven’t talked to someone yet, I thought I’d give you a rundown of some of the possibilities for resolving your DUI case.
Pleading to DUI as charged is the worst possible scenario. Usually a plea like this comes with a recommendation of the mandatory minimums for sentencing. But those still include jail time. And most people don’t want jail time. Often with an offer like this I set it for trial and see what happens.
One step down from DUI is reckless driving, but it’s a pretty big step down. With reckless driving you don’t have any mandatory jail time and there is no interlock ignition driver’s license requirement. This means you avoid the harshest aspects of a DUI sentence. There is a 30 driver’s license suspension with this, though an occupation license is available.
Below that is negligent driving first degree. It is better than the other two by far. First, it’s only a misdemeanor, this means a lower maximum sentence. Second, there is no high risk insurance. Third, there is no driver’s license suspension. The only downside to this is you get stuck with a criminal record.
After that comes any myriad of traffic infractions you might be able to get. It might be negligent driving 2nd degree, careless driving, or something like that. It’s great because it’s not criminal. You pay a fine and you’re done.
Last, but not least, is a dismissal. We all like these. This means the charges are gone, forever. You don’t have to pay anything (except your Seattle DUI attorney fee), don’t have to do any jail time. You walk out of court a free person. This is what we strive for, but the others can be okay in many circumstances.
Want to find out more about a Seattle DUI attorney? Then visit us for information on how to choose the best Seattle DUI attorney for your needs.
Curious How To Fight A Speeding Traffic Ticket?
March 9, 2010 | Leave a Comment
How to fight a speeding traffic ticket is something many people may want to know. For while speeding has always been a serious issue, this is truer today than ever before. This is because so many people are finding ways to work each and every moment whether at the office, at home or now, in the car.
Although it is good people are dependable when it comes to jobs and family, behind the wheel of a car is not the time to carry on business whether by e-mail, text messaging or working on a laptop. For, in doing so, one not only risk their own lives but the lives of others. In addition, it has also been shown in recent reports that accidents related to these activities carry the same dangers as driving under the influence. Therefore, the short amount of time one saves in working behind the wheel, could be quite costly in the future.
So, for the most part when it comes to speeding, usually a driver is distracted through a number of ways and often times does not even realize they are traveling at a rate of speed over the legal limit. Also, it is not only electronic devices that cause distraction to drivers. One can also be distracted by the beauty surrounding one while on the road, daydreaming as one drives or, the use of electronic devices while behind the wheel.
However, these are not the only factors contributing to drivers who speed. Some may want to attempt to race, while others may just be in too big of a hurry to get to their destination. Whatever the case, if one receives a traffic fine for speeding it can often be very expensive, not to mention costly and near impossible to get dismissed.
Also, although winning a fight in traffic court is not easy, it is however possible. To do so, one must have a good reason why they were breaking the law and present oneself in a positive way when approaching judge, hearing panel or jury. To this end, one may see the charges dropped or at the very least reduced when and where possible. However, this is not always the case, especially with speeding tickets due to the many dangers created with regards to speeding.
Besides, if one is speeding because they were not paying attention, this brings even more attention to the dangers of working while driving. In addition, it explains why traffic fines are now also being established with regards to practices such as e-mailing, sending text messages or working on a laptop while driving, none of which should be attempted while behind the wheel.
However, for those drivers who honestly, truly believe they were not speeding, then defense is the only option. Because, only guilty parties should be required to pay a fine. Therefore, if you believe you are innocent, it is imperative to talk with a traffic attorney to attempt to clear up the issue. For, while there may be a small cost to do so now, not doing so later could result in the cancellation or suspension of a driving license.
Often individuals try to go the route of rejecting a ticket based on hope alone that the ticketing officer will not show up to court and the case will then be dropped. A lot of fines have been dismissed in this fashion. Regardless, if one is guilty and the officer does show, then most likely the individual is still going to have to pay the initial fine, plus any additional court costs.
While in some cases, a judge will allow drivers to take a defensive driving course in order to have a ticket dismissed, the judge generally assigns one to a specific program. However, if one is given the option, there are many types of programs in which one can complete this type of agreement. Some of these are the traditional classroom defensive driving course, comedy defensing driving courses and now, defensive driving videos one can often complete at home. Also, while some may see these classes as punishment, others while they may not like same, understand that there may also be benefits later with regards to a reduction in car insurance rates. However, before one thinks this is a crime that pays, think again. Definitely, think again, as often individuals who drive reckless and speed often not only have to pay a fine, complete jail time or run the risk of losing their license, in many instances such driving habits can also prevent individuals from obtaining car insurance in the future.
One need be especially cautious when traveling out of State. This is because often times if one receives a moving violation while away from home, one may need to return to the area where the ticket was issued to take care of same. To this end, it is never good to break traffic laws whether close to home or while away. For, doing so while on the road can be costly, especially if one receives a ticket in a State far away from the area in which one resides. In addition, too many tickets whether at home or away and one risks the chance of losing their license, which is a risk a lot of drivers may not wish to take.
Beyond having charges dropped, one can also ask a judge to reduce charges if at all possible. Sometimes, though rare, it can happen with enough proof that one is in the act of improving their life, how sorry they are for speeding and how they are going to prevent same from happening again in the future. However, one must be extremely professional in their manner and appearance if there is any hope of having the charges reduced, especially if this is following a case in which one has been denied dismissal.
Regardless, if stopped by the police whether speeding or not, one need to be more polite than ever. This is because with all the criminal activities in recent years, both the police and the public are quicker to take action today than ever before. To this end, remaining calm, polite and respectful can allow the situation to stay relaxed for both oneself and the ticketing officer.
While it is not impossible, it is extremely difficult to fight a traffic ticket and win. For example, most police officers use radar guns to obtain the speed of drivers. Therefore, the officer will generally have a physical record of the speed one was traveling, whereas the ticketed party only has their word. A reality generally resulting in drivers still having to pay the initial fine.
Last but not least, if one can afford an attorney specializing in traffic law, one has a better chance of winning the fight. Also, if the charges can result in the cancellation or suspension of a license then one need find any means possible to secure a traffic attorney. Otherwise, one may lose far more in the future than the cost of an attorney today, something all drivers, especially those who speed need consider before even having to learn how to fight a speeding traffic ticket in court.
The Traffic Ticket Team has completed over 500,000 cases. We offer a Free Review and have 5 convenient locations. We Guarantee that if you get points on your license we will refund the lawyers fee you paid us. Before you hire some random traffic ticket clinic contact us.
Exploring The Topic Running A Red Light
March 6, 2010 | Leave a Comment
As you pass through the light it is all yours no matter what the color is its just a light or that is what is said over and over in mind of someone getting ready to run a light. Not so next thing you know you are pulling the car over to the side of he road and a not so nice cop is giving you a wonderful ticket for running a red light or you are going to jail if you have been drinking.
The driver can usually see the lights change and running them is an option. Once or twice there are a few good reasons for not being able to see the light do to the sun or the signal light is off center. But most of the time the lights a very visible and running a red light is not because it is too hard to see.
The manufacturers of signal lights take the sun, wind and other factors into consideration when designing these lights. A black backdrop is put on several models to help block the light of the sun and make it easier to see the lights and the changing colors. The colors also are assembled in the same location on all lights for several reasons too.
The lights are installed or produced in the same order in all the manufactured signal lights. This helps if the driver is color blind and the sequence of the lights will be the same at all intersections. The lights are also spaced in an order that will get your attention as you wait for the change.
There are places where a special light is needed that are not the same as those on intersections. These lights will need to be special ordered lights. The normal colors in a light are red, yellow and green. Other colors used to be available for purchase and they were used in local street has all but gone for the sake of conforming standard.
It would be a good idea to remember to watch for the changes when approaching any light since they change so frequently. The time you sit at a light seems to be a long time to most people but in reality the time you sit at a light is usually only from 1 minute to 1.5 minutes.
When you are entering into a intersection the light can turn to another color, usually from green to yellow. As you enter the intersection, according to DPS, if you are midway through the intersection you should go through and continue on as long as the it is safe. As you get close to any intersection it would be a good idea to be ready to stop if the light changes on you suddenly.
People will always run red lights and the excuses will be many when trying to to beat the ticket in court. However the time of the camera monitoring the intersections is upon us and the evidence of running a red light will be in black and white. Monitors are capable of taking a picture of your car and the driver to later send a ticket to the drivers resident.
The Traffic Ticket Team has handled over 500,000 cases. We offer a No Cost Review and have 5 easily accessible local offices. We Guarantee that if you get points on your license we will refund the lawyers fee you paid us. Before you hire some random traffic ticket clinic call us.
The Different Sides Of Toll Violations
March 6, 2010 | Leave a Comment
The issue of toll violations is never an easy one to discuss or resolve. Everyone has an opinion, and usually the discussion rapidly changes from people who haven’t tested told me without paying to the reason that there’s a toll to begin with. The notion of charging people to use a road or bridge is admitting that the transportation cost cannot be met any other way. The anti-tax position is that there is sufficient funding for the government to take care of the transportation issues already. Funds generated through property taxes and other taxes are supposed to cover the transportation infrastructure.
Those who are against say that our taxes are not spent well and imposing tolls on our roads is simply a symptom of government incompetence. Those who are for tolls believe that someone has to pay for the maintenance, repair and improvements to our road systems and tolls provide the fastest revenue stream. This is all about the overall fiscal condition that afflicts us starting with the federal government and working its way down to the state and eventually to the county and city.
In any municipality the state of the road system is integral to economic development and sustenance. Large companies at wholesale moved their headquarters and their entire business because of poor road systems. That makes keeping the road system not only well-maintained but growing critical to the cities.
The interstate system that ties all of our cities together was built back in the 1950s. Contrary to popular belief that road system was designed for the US military. This explains why there are “interesting highways” in Hawaii. While the access to the highways are difficult from downtown Honolulu to go straight to the main gates of Pearl Harbor, Hickam Air Force Base, and Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe.
Fortunately the need to have mass mobilization on the scale seen during World War II has not repeated. This paved the way for the trucking industry, to seize the lead in using this network to interconnect all of our cities with goods and services. It is a pleasant side benefit that we all can use the same roads for our own business and pleasure. Unfortunately, everything needs to be repaired and maintained in the question is by whom.
Building and maintaining roads has become increasingly expensive, and in some cases prohibitively so. It also requires a tremendous amount of time and significant inconvenience. There’s also the question of who actually benefits from roads. If you live far from the city on a farm you might reasonably be upset about the amount of money spent on a new roadway in a city across the state. From this perceived unfairness comes to logic that those who use the road should pay for it.
As with most things however it’s not that simple. While someone living in a rural community may not drive on the road in the city. Their schools, libraries, public parks, and even their emergency services gain revenue from the taxes generated in the city by the industries that use those roads. In that way, they too prosper from the expense of the infrastructure. Another controversy surrounding tolls are toll violations that put points on your driver’s license. There are traffic ticket lawyers such as www.trafficticketteam.com that focus their practice on moving violations such as toll tickets. However, this still costs the driver money and seems like a tax.
Toll violations are often the result of attention or distraction and occasionally a sentiment that they are simply unfair taxes. But no matter what the cause they always generate a heated conversation.
The Traffic Ticket Team has completed over 500,000 cases. We will give a Free Review and have 5 convenient locations. We Guarantee that if you get points on your license we will refund the attorneys fee you paid us. Before you hire a random traffic ticket clinic contact us.
Avoiding Traffic Ticket Broward County
March 6, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Getting a traffic ticket Broward County is not a laughing matter. Broward has one of the strictest penalties for traffic offenses then any other county in the state of Florida. No need to worry though, if you receive a traffic violation in Broward County you will have the right to plead your innocence and to confront the evidence.
It is usually advised that no matter how serious of an infraction you are accused of, that you take it to court and try to have it dismissed. The reason for this is because traffic tickets can cause your license to accumulate points. The department of motor vehicles uses these points to determine if a person is a good driver or if they are considered a liability and should have their driving privileges revoked.
Did you know that if you receive two or more traffic tickets and you do not properly take care of them and have them cleared from your driving record, you can loose your license? Usually when points are added to your license your vehicle insurance rates increase. This means that your insurance costs will increase because you are no longer considered a safe driver.
In some cases, if someone is a repeat offender, they become known as what is called a habitual offender to law enforcement agencies and thus are frequently watched. The reason for this is because the enforcement agencies as well as the department of motor vehicles expect you to violate traffic laws because it has become a routine action from you. In order to avoid becoming a routine offender then you should take special precautions.
Did you know that having points on your license can automatically suspend your candidacy for certain jobs? Yup that’s right! Some places automatically disqualify you for employment positions if you do not have a clean and safe driving record. This is why there are classes available from Florida’s department of motor vehicles. These classes help to teach proper driving protocols, as well as ways to actually avoid getting traffic citations.
Just like people fight hard to keep a good credit score, people should fight to keep a clean driving record. People who repeatedly receive traffic situations become known generally as habitual offenders. Habitual offenders usually find themselves being targeted more often for routine traffic stops because the officers usually expect them to keep their pattern of violating traffic laws.
No matter where you’re from, or where you’re headed one thing is for certain, you never want to get caught committing a traffic violation in Broward County. If you follow simple steps like staying alert, being a defensive driver, and never driving while sleepy or tired, you can help yourself to avoid majority of the traffic offenses that occur so commonly.
By doing these things, not only are you ensuring your safety while on the road, but the safety of those motorists that share the road with you. You will also help to ensure that your insurance premiums do not increase, and that your driving record stays clean.
The Traffic Ticket Team has handled over 500,000 cases. We offer a Free Consultation and have 5 easily accessible locations. We Guarantee that if you get points on your license we will refund the attorneys fee you paid us. Before you hire some random traffic ticket clinic contact us.
DUI Records & You: What Happens After Your DUI Arrest
February 19, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Many times people aren’t aware that getting charged with a DUI will change your record. This can have many unfortunate consequences. In addition, the DUI will stay on your record for a number of years. It’s a good idea to speak with a DUI attorney about your situation and get some help resolving your DUI issue.
After an arrest for a DUI, a record is registered in two spots. One is the departement of motor vehicles database and the other is a criminal database.
When you are charged with additional offenses during your DUI arrest, these will also go on your DUI record. In a situation where an officer requests that you take a breathalyzer test and you decline, this is not only illegal, but will also be added to your record.
Once the DUI record is registered in the databases mentioned above, they can be accessed by various organizations. For instance employers, insurance companies, and schools all can access the record. This can have very undesirable consequences as you can imagine.
What can be done to change this?
One of the first things you can do is contact a DUI attorney to guide you through the process. There are ways you can reduce the impact of your charges. A qualified lawyer can assist you in reducing your charges. Sometimes, with the help of a good lawyer, you can even get the charges dropped.
If you delay too long in speaking with an attorney about your DUI issue, you can miss taking advantage of all your rights. For example, the California DMV offer you the opportunity for a hearing within 10 days after notice of suspension or revocation. If you don’t request a hearing in time, your opportunity will be gone.
Hiring a qualified San Jose defense attorney can help you expunge your DUI record. This means that the DUI record will be removed from your profile. This process can only take place by the way of a court order after an individual in given a petition in court. It is not a guarantee that your record will be expunged, however with the assistance of an attorney you will have a much better shot.
Getting charged with a DUI can be a stressful and difficult experience. When you are arrested or under investigation for a DUI, you need an experienced San Jose defense attorney on your side. Speak with criminal lawyers San Jose regarding your arrest.
The Best Way To Handle DUI Charges And A Guide For Finding A Great DUI Attorney
February 14, 2010 | Leave a Comment
It doesn’t matter if you were at the bar with your friends or you were at home having a couple beers, at some point you made the decision to get behind the wheel of a car and now you’ve found yourself arrested and facing serious legal charges. Depending on your area, DUI charges can vary, but in San Diego, DUI charges are very strict, and if you are faced with this kind of charge, you are about to experience a lot of turmoil. The truth is, only a skilled San Diego DUI attorney can help you when you’re in this kind of situation. A San Diego DUI attorney is very familiar with the court system, loop holes in the law, and methods to have evidence and potentially harmful testimony dismissed out of court.
The police officer walks up to your car and asks if you’ve had anything to drink. He/She may give you a field sobriety test, or a breathalyzer test and/or a blood test. Be aware, you can refuse to take these tests, but more than likely (especially if the police officer is believes you have been drinking) they will simply keep you in custody until they get a warrant that gives them the right to test you and then arrest you if you are intoxicated.
Of course, this is based on the premise that you did drink before you got behind the wheel. You may be surprised to know that there have been several cases where people were pulled over, tested and arrested for DUI even when they did not have a thing to drink. In those kind of cases, it goes without saying that you will definitely need an experienced DUI attorney to protect your rights.
Now that charges have been formally filed against you for driving under the influence, you have some business to take care of. The first step is to find and consult a San Diego DUI attorney. Be careful though, you don’t just want any attorney. It is important you find a skilled attorney that focuses on DUI cases. Don’t worry too much about the cost. When you hire someone to protect your freedom, your driving and criminal records, as well as your reputation, you should not attempt to cut costs. Concentrate on finding the most qualified attorney for you situation. When it comes to legal representation, you normally will get what you pay for, so if you want the best attorney to represent you, be ready to pay more.
The best way to find the best attorney is to search online for people who may have had similar experiences in your part of San Diego. See if someone recommends a good attorney. You can go to the yellow pages, or even an attorney directory, but there’s no guarantee these attorneys are successful at what they do. If possible, interview a few attorneys and ask to see or hear testimonials from other people they’ve represented. Ask about their court record. If an attorney has had success in lessening charges or getting cases thrown out completely, that’s the attorney you want.
A good DUI Attorney will examine the evidence against you and will create a strategy to get your charges lowered or to get you off the hook completely. Oftentimes, tests like breathalyzers give false readings, and the attorney can get the test results from this apparatus thrown out; or they may use the weather, such as heavy rain, to explain why the officer says you failed the field sobriety test.
You must trust your attorney to have your best interests at heart. If he tells you to dress a certain way, talk a certain way, or say certain things, listen to him. His job is to win your court case; and attorneys don’t like to lose.
Even when the evidence is stacked completely against you and you believe there is absolutely no way you can win, a skilled San Diego DUI attorney may surprise you by discovering a loophole, or an angle you never thought of that just may save you from years of legal trouble, lost money and scarred reputation. However, you need to choose the best San Diego DUI attorney if you want to achieve the best outcome in court.
Looking to find a great deal on a San Diego DUI, attorney then visit www.sandiegoduiattorneynow.com to find the best advice directly from a San Diego DUI attorney for your situation.
Life After A DUI Charge, How To Get Back On Track
February 12, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Although charges may vary from county to county, being charged with a DUI can be an overwhelming experience. As with most other counties, a San Diego DUI carries considerable penalties that will effect all aspects of your life from finances to your occupation and personal relationships. What should you do to get your life back in order quickly? Can a San Diego DUI lawyer help get you out of the situation? These are all questions that are going through your mind which will be answered in this article.
Typically, people who are facing San Diego DUI charges make the correct choice to consult a San Diego DUI lawyer. They are terrified of the situation and want highest probability of decreasing the consequences that are about to drastically affect their lives. This is exactly the right choice since a San Diego DUI lawyer is the only person who can save you from your situation and help get your life back on track quickly.
Personal Responsibility
The best thing you can do for yourself after facing DUI charges is take personal responsibility for what has occurred. Use it as a wake up call to get your life back on track. If you have a serious problem with alcohol, this is your chance to go into rehab.
A San Diego DUI lawyer will commonly recommend you to do this right away, because it appears much better in court when you are trying to fight charges or challenge a license suspension if you are proactively correcting your mistakes.
The Responsibility Of The DUI Lawyer
A DUI lawyer cannot force you into rehab or sort out your problems, but they will know the finer points of the law that will help you fight the charges. For instance, your license will be seized on the spot, but did you know that you have just 10 days to contest the suspension of your license?
There is no time to waste. The California system doesn’t have one set guideline of punishments. It varies depending on a variety of factors. If you have any of these factors against you, then you should not attempt to go without a San Diego DUI lawyer:
* A minor was in the car when you were pulled over for DUI.
* You refused to accept the breathalyzer or blood test at the time of your DUI.
* You have prior DUI convictions.
* There was serious injury or death as a result of the DUI.
* You have multiple charges piled in with the DUI, such as other traffic violations.
These are all situations that will absolutely increase your penalties and even land you in jail, so you will need an experienced DUI lawyer who is familiar with maneuvering the legal system so the result is as much in your favor as possible.
On the other hand, if you do not have any of the escalating factors listed above, it can be tempting to consider going alone thinking your charges are not “that serious.” The problem is the penalty fines typically will be above $1,000 even for your first offense and if not correctly contested in court the charges may become criminal blemishes on your record that follow you forever!
On a positive note, with the help of a skilled San Diego DUI lawyer, and if you make smart decisions, you will be successful in getting your life back in order after facing San Diego DUI charges. It is your responsibility to make the proper changes in your life to overcome your alcohol issues. However, its is the responsibility of your San Diego DUI lawyer to aggressively contest the DUI charges against you and fight to reach a positive result in court.
Need to find out more about getting a good San Diego dui lawyer, then visit Robert M. Jenkins’s site on how to choose the best San Diego dui lawyer for your situation.