If you get pulled over and charged for a DUI case, you might think that your life has come to a screeching halt. This isn't the case, because it still has to go before court and you still have a lot of work to do in order to make sure that you receive a not guilty verdict, plea bargain or lenience with sentencing. No matter how you look at it, the ball is in your court, but you have to be sure that you go about things in a way that is helpful to you.
To know how to move forward after a driving under the influence stop, use some of the following tips.
#1: Know The Law In Your Particular State
Your DUI circumstances will look completely different depending on what state you live within. For example, in Tennessee, people under the age of 21 can have a blood alcohol content of .02 percent and not be charged, while Oklahoma is zero tolerance when it comes to underage blood alcohol content. Likewise, in Oklahoma, you will spend a minimum of 5 days in jail if convicted of your first offense, while you'll spend a minimum of 2 days behind bars if convicted with your first offense in Tennessee.
#2: Hire A Lawyer Who Is Proven
You might have a completely different experience than someone else if you have the right attorney to represent you. When you are looking for lawyers, you should make sure that you retain someone with a proven conviction to acquittal ratio, in addition to making sure that you can afford their services. While you may feel rushed to obtain representation after being charged, never hire someone unless you feel comfortable about their chances to win your case.
#3: Don't Shy Away From Plea Bargains
The beauty of plea bargains in most states is that they are downgraded to the point that it is not a criminal offense. As opposed to being on the hook for driving under the influence, you can plea down to a wet reckless traffic violation.
At the end of the day, the best thing you can possible do to avoid a driving under the influence charge is to never drink and drive. But if you happen to make such a mistake, follow these tips so that you can begin getting your life back in order. For more information, contact Medeiros & Associates or a similar firm.
