Driving under the influence could lead to loss of lives and severe property damage. That is why it attracts heavy punishments like hefty fines, probation, or three to four months license suspension for a third or subsequent DUI offense. A third conviction for a violation of DUI could attract three months to two and a half jail time.
If you are found to be driving under the influence and you do not have a license, then you will likely be accused of two separate offenses. Do you get a ticket for DUI? Yes, you do, and that is why your actions at the moment of your arrest are crucial. So, here are a few things you should do immediately after being accused of DUI.
Document everything you remember from your arrest, including where the police pulled you over and where you were headed. Record when you were pulled over and note who was in the car with you. Precisely note why the officers pulled you over and whether you were asked to take any tests such as the breathalyzer test and other field sobriety tests. This information is critical for DWI attorneys. Most importantly, be honest with your defense attorney and do not withhold any information.
There is little that’s more frightening than being pulled over by the police, but being accused of driving while intoxicated is one of the scariest situations a driver can face. Drunk driving is a serious offense, as more than thirty people per day are killed in alcohol related car crashes. It’s no wonder policemen take DUI so seriously. No one thinks very clearly when they’re frightened, so here are some things to keep in mind if you’ve been pulled over for DUI, even before you contact a traffic lawyer.
1. Write it down.
The smallest things can be among the most important, so get them down on paper right away, while they’re still fresh. Don’t leave anything out, and write down even the most inconsequential items that you may think mean nothing. Your traffic lawyer will thank you. Don’t share these writings with anyone but your attorney.
2. Find witnesses.
Were you out with friends? At a dinner party? A business dinner? Speak with anyone who saw you in the hours preceding your DUI. Write down their full names, addresses, and contact information, as well as anything they remember about what you ate, drank, or did before you were pulled over. You can be sure that you won’t be the only one speaking to them, so better to be the first to know what you’re dealing with. This can be hugely important for your DUI representation.
3. Get quiet online.
Anywhere you have an online profile, make it private. Prosecuting attorneys will often look to Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites to see what you’ve posted and who you were with. That photo you posted of you and your friends toasting with mixed drinks will do nothing good for you when it’s blown up to life size and placed on an easel at a trial. More than one third of all traffic accidents are alcohol related, so it’s understandable that this offense is taken seriously by prosecutors. Making your profile private doesn’t make incriminating evidence go away, but it can keep the other side from finding ammunition you will wish they had never seen.
Hire the best defense attorney you can afford.
This may be the fourth item on our list, but it’s one of the most important things you’ll do during your DUI case. Not everyone can afford the best dui lawyers, but finding a traffic lawyer who has handled many cases like yours will go a long way towards resolving your case. Meet with a few lawyers before choosing one. Ask them how many drunk driving cases they have settled, and how many they have taken to court. Find out how they will approach your personal case, and make your decision based on their answers. This is by far the most important choice you will make.
Breathe.
Once you’ve done all that you can do to prepare yourself and your attorney for your case, let it go. Don’t obsess over the details, you’ll only drive yourself and your loved ones crazy. Go on with your life, while keeping in touch with your dui lawyer when needed. You hired this attorney to handle your case, let them handle it. Living your life while under the cloud of a DUI is one of the more difficult things you’ll face, but it’s among the most important.
According to the FBI, more than 300,000 people drive while impaired every day, but only around 4,000 are brought up on charges. Facing a DUI is never an easy task, but by following these five steps, you will find yourself prepared and ready for whatever your traffic lawyer needs from you. You and your attorney will act as a team to see that your case has the best possible outcome. By being prepared, you can live your life fully and without constant worry.
