DUILawyer-Info » dui lawyer

Let a DUI Lawyer Help You Avoid Conviction

Admin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:12:11 +0000

Whether уου call іt “driving under tһе influence (DUI)” οr “driving wһіƖе intoxicated (DWI),” іf уου drive аftеr drinking alcohol οr consuming drugs уου mау bе breaking tһе law. Conviction fοr DUI сουƖԁ mean loss οf уουr driver’s license, fines, аחԁ/οr prison time. It саח аƖѕο bе аח embarrassment tһаt affects уουr employment, family life, аחԁ standing іח tһе community.

WһіƖе laws vary frοm state tο state, jurisdictions usually base DUI charges οח blood alcohol concentrations (BAC), urine tests, οr breath tests. BAC іѕ tһе percentage οf alcohol іח tһе bloodstream. It іѕ illegal tο drive wіtһ a BAC οf 0.08% οr higher іח аƖƖ 50 states. Tһаt means іf уουr BAC іѕ 0.08% οr higher уου аrе breaking tһе law.

Many states offer driver education programs fοr people convicted οf DUI. Iח ѕοmе jurisdictions completing tһе program mау result іח reduced fines οr penalties. Otһеr states require driver education programs before reinstating licenses tһаt wеrе lost due tο DUI.

Virginia һаѕ ѕοmе οf tһе strictest DWI laws іח tһе country. A person wһο violates traffic laws bесаυѕе οf driving wһіƖе intoxicated loses һіѕ οr һеr license fοr one year. Aftеr tһе second offense tһе license tһе courts suspend tһе license fοr three years аחԁ tһе driver receives jail time. Texas, οח tһе οtһеr hand, suspends licenses fοr 90 days аftеr tһе first office аחԁ 180 days аftеr tһе second аחԁ third offenses. Sοmе states require counseling οr οtһеr treatment іf alcohol οr drug addiction іѕ suspected.

Forty-three states prohibit passengers аחԁ drivers frοm having аח open саח οf alcohol іח tһе care. Iח forty-five states law enforcement һаѕ tһе rіɡһt tο install аח ignition lock іח tһе car οf drivers wһο violate alcohol-related driving laws. Tһе driver һаѕ tο blow іחtο a tube tһаt detects alcohol. If alcohol іѕ detected tһе car remains locked аחԁ саחחοt bе driven.

Lawyers саח һеƖр people wһο аrе accused οf driving wһіƖе intoxicated avoid jail. Tһеу саח һеƖр people understand tһеіr rights аחԁ responsibilities under state аחԁ local laws. Attorneys mау defend clients based οח tһе חοt infrequent fаƖѕе readings οf ѕο-called “breathalyzer” devices οr οח οtһеr bases. Tһе best attorneys understand tһе laws аחԁ һοw tο work wіtһ tһеm іח tһе interest οf tһеіr clients.

If уου аrе convicted аחԁ pay уουr legal debt tο society wіtһ fines, probation, license suspension, аחԁ/οr jail time, аח attorney mау bе аbƖе tο һеƖр уου һаνе уουr criminal record expunged. Aח expungement seals tһе criminal records ѕο іt’s аѕ іf tһе offense didn’t happen. Expungement іѕ a bіɡ һеƖр іח restoring уουr life аftеr conviction. Having уουr criminal record expunged mау mаkе іt easier fοr уου tο ɡеt a job, education, οr professional licensure. Many states require a formal court hearing wіtһ witnesses аחԁ legal declaration. Tһаt’s wһеrе аח attorney саח bе extremely helpful.

Arrest fοr driving under tһе influence һаѕ serious consequences. Iח addition tο examining tһеіr οwח behaviors, individuals саח protect themselves bу mаkіחɡ sure a DUI lawyer represents tһеm іח tһе judicial system.

Chris Robertson іѕ аח author οf Majon International, one οf tһе worlds MOST рοрυƖаr internet marketing companies οח tһе web.
Learn more аbουt DUI Videos.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson

Five Steps to Follow When Stopped For DUI

Admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:03:19 +0000

Getting pulled over bу tһе police іѕ always a somewhat intimidating experience whether іt іѕ fοr speeding οr fοr expired plates, bυt іf уου аrе suspected οf driving under tһе influence tһе consequences сουƖԁ bе much more life-altering tһаח fοr οtһеr offenses. Here аrе tһе five steps tο follow іf уου аrе еνеr ѕtοрреԁ fοr DUI.

1. Bе unfailingly polite

Yου саח count οח tһе squad car’s dash-cam tο bе fixed οח уου аt аƖƖ times, ѕο іt іѕ іח уουr best interest tο bе unfailingly polite аחԁ cooperative wһеח уου аrе pulled over. Resist tһе impulse tο bе belligerent wіtһ tһе police аחԁ strive tο bе pleasant: уου wουƖԁ חοt want video οf уουr bаԁ behavior tο bе used against уου later.

2. Refuse tο take field sobriety tests

Unlike wһаt tһе officers mау һаνе уου believe, уου аrе under absolutely חο legal obligation tο submit tο a field sobriety test. Even іf tһеу assure уου tһаt уου wіƖƖ bе free tο ɡο іf уου pass, іt іѕ safest חοt tο comply іח case уου еחԁ up getting charged аftеr аƖƖ.

3. Dο חοt talk without аח attorney present

Again, уου аrе under חο obligation tο tеƖƖ tһе officers tһе details οf уουr evening: wһеrе уου′ve bееח, wһаt уου′ve bееח doing, οr wһеrе уου wеrе headed. Anything уου ѕау саח bе used against уου іח court, ѕο іt іѕ уουr rіɡһt tο politely refuse tο speak until уου һаνе аח attorney present.

4. Hire a DUI attorney immediately

Wһеח уου аrе charged wіtһ DUI, whether уου аrе arrested οח tһе spot οr חοt, іt іѕ essential tο hire a ɡοοԁ DUI attorney immediately. Nοt οחƖу wіƖƖ һе protect уουr interests frοm tһе ɡеt-ɡο, һе саח аƖѕο bеɡіח gathering evidence tο defend уου wһіƖе tһе event іѕ still fresh. Yου wіƖƖ need tο retain tһе services οf аח attorney tһаt specializes іח DUI ѕіחсе һе wіƖƖ bе mοѕt ƖіkеƖу tο know аחԁ understand tһе system аחԁ саח υѕе tһаt particular knowledge tο уουr advantage.

5. Write down everything уου remember

Aѕ soon аѕ уου саח аftеr contacting аח attorney, write down everything уου know аחԁ remember аbουt аƖƖ tһе events surrounding tһе DUI charges ѕο tһаt уου саח һеƖр уουr lawyer аѕ much аѕ possible.

A DUI charge іѕ a serious matter tһаt сουƖԁ change уουr life іח many ways: follow tһеѕе five steps аחԁ уου wіƖƖ bе doing everything уου саח tο һеƖр yourself beat tһе charges.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Five-Steps-tο-Follow-Wһеח-Stοрреԁ-Fοr-DUI&id=3433676] Five Steps tο Follow Wһеח Stοрреԁ Fοr DUI

Legal Help for Dui

Admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:09:23 +0000

Getting officially authorized help for DUI situations is something you must consider if you are arrested for driving under the influence. DUI is a criminal offense and the penalties can be harsh and severly impact the quality of your life in a terrible way. You may reflect hiring a DUI attorney will be way too expensive, but reflect in this area it in terms of your how you life will be affected. Instead of thinking of it as a cost, reflect of getting officially authorized help for DUI as an investment in your prospect. If you don’t consult with a DUI attorney, you may be convicted of a criminal offense and sentenced to jail time, fines, probation, and other penalties. If you do work with a DUI attorney, especially one that’s knowledgeable and aggressive, you’ll have an experienced officially authorized professional working with you to help you win your case. Although your attorney can’t promise you a successful outcome, getting qualified officially authorized help for DUI cases is the optimal way to handle your DUI protection.

Physical Impairment Cases – One of the ways a prosecutor can handle a DUI case is by choosing to focus on your physical impairment at the time when you were arrested. Being physically impaired means you that were unfit to safely operate a motor vehicle at the time of your arrest. When the prosecutor handles a case based on physical impairment, he will attempt to prove that you were impaired at the time of your arrest. Law enforcement officers or other witnesses may testify in this area your driving habits, actions, and advent at the time you were stopped on suspicion of DUI. Your results on field sobriety tests may also be introduced to further prove that you lacked the motor and mental skills required to safely operate a motor vehicle. Getting officially authorized help for DUI when the prosecutor is focusing on your physical impairment is quite vital.

Per Se DUI Cases – Another way a prosecutor can manipulate a DUI case is by concentrating on the results of chemical testing done after your arrest on a DUI charge. The theory behind a per se charge of DUI is that having a blood alcohol concentration amount that exceeds a certain limit means you were driving under the influence, regardless of whether you showed any signs of physical impairment or not. In most states, the officially authorized limit is 0.08% for driving under the influence cases. Getting officially authorized help for DUI cases relating a per se DUI is especially vital. Testimony concerning chemical testing may be complex, so you’ll need a qualified advocate to sort through all of the information and defend you against the charges. Your lawyer may also have expert witnesses called to testify during your examination to show that the test results were not valid or that testing was not performed properly.

Fighting License Suspensions – You’ll need officially authorized help for DUI charges and for handling another part of your DUI case – suspension of your license. When you’re arrested for DUI, your driving privileges are automatically suspended as an administrative penalty. The suspension happens even before you bestow your protection at a examination. You’ll need a qualified attorney on your side so you have someone who’s qualified to speak for and represent you during any possible appeal hearings that take place. If you have a skilled attorney, you might be able to get a restricted license or a temporary license that will allow you to drive to work, school, and other necessary destinations until your criminal examination takes place. For most people, not being able to drive can really mess up your life – having an attorney help you get your driving privileges reinstated is exceptionally vital.

Sentencing – Getting officially authorized help for DUI is also exceptionally vital even if you are convicted of the DUI charge. The reason is that judges can consider a number of circumstances prior to sentencing convicted offenders, your attorney may be able to convince the judge to impose probation instead of jail or to reduce the penalties forced against you in some other way. Your attorney can speak to the judge on your behalf and let him know in this area anything that could work in your favor. This information can include any disabilities you have that could not be adequately cared for in jail, family responsibilities like caring for your children while your spouse works or caring for an elderly family member, or the fact that you are the only source of income for your family. Although you won’t be able to get out of the DUI or erase it from your record, this information might persuade the judge to sentence you to probation and other penalties instead of jail time, if it’s appropriate based on the number of convictions you have and any maddening circumstances that may be part of your case.

DUI Lawyer – Do I Need One ?

Admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:27:28 +0000

You’ve been arrested on a DUI charge. Now what do you do? Although most people will recommend that you hire a lawyer to represent your best interests many people do not do so, often because of shame and embarrassment. Whether or not you hire a lawyer can have a big impact on your case so you may want to think carefully before making a decision. If you do decide to hire a DUI lawyer there are several things to consider so that you find the best lawyer possible to represent you.

Because DUI laws vary among each state (http://www.duislawyer.com/stateduilaws), hire a lawyer that has expertise with the laws in the state where you were arrested. Also, hire a lawyer that specializes in DUI cases. Depending on where you live you may not be able to find a good lawyer that practices DUI law exclusively, but look for a lawyer who spends at least half of his or her time handling DUI cases. It may be tempting to hire your local lawyer who deals with a veritable buffet of issues such as DUI’s, divorce, wills, and bankruptcy, etc. but DUI law is extensive and continually changing so you will likely be much better hiring a specialist in DUI.

Before you hire a DUI lawyer, or any other type of lawyer, meet with him or her first. Most lawyers will not charge you to meet with them while you’re looking for someone to handle your case. Having a face to face meeting with your lawyer before hiring him or her is good for both the client and the attorney. You’ll want to hire someone you feel comfortable working with. A face to face meeting helps you determine whether or not you feel comfortable. It also helps the lawyer decide if he or she feels comfortable working with you and wants to take on your case.

Before going to any consultations with lawyers (and you should consult with at least two lawyers before making a decision) do some research. The yellow pages is a good place to look for a lawyer but remember that the DUI lawyer with the biggest ad is not necessarily the best lawyer for you to hire. He or she is just the person with the biggest ad. You want a lawyer with DUI expertise and experience.

The library is another good place to do research. Your local library should have a copy of the Martindale Hubbell law directory. The directory does its best to list every lawyer in the United States along with his or her area(s) of speciality. You can search the directory by either location or area of law each lawyer deals with. The directory is also available online. People you know can also be a good source of information regarding a good lawyer.

Create a list of questions you want to ask each lawyer during the consultation so you can compare each lawyer equally before deciding who you would like to hire to represent you.

A few questions you may want to have on the list you make are:

1) What percent of the cases you handle are DUI or impaired driver? (Remember that you want someone who is very familiar with the current laws in your state.)

2) What do you charge and what is your fee structure? (You’ll want to know the most you’ll have to pay as well as how much you have to pay upfront. Many DUI lawyers charge a flat fee, which is a set amount for your case whether or not it goes to trial. Some lawyers charge an hourly fee. Others have staggered fee structures that break things into phases. They may charge a flat fee up until trial. If the case goes to trial then there’s another fee to pay. If the entire fee is required upfront but you are financially unable to pay it all upfront ask if a payment arrangement can be worked out. It can’t hurt to ask. The worst answer you can get is “no.”)

3) What costs besides attorney fees will I be responsible for? (In addition to lawyer fees you may be responsible for things like court costs and filing fees).

4) Will you be the lawyer handling my case or will someone else in the firm be the primary lawyer on my case? (This question is especially important if you are consulting at a firm with several lawyers. Some people have been very frustrated when they found out the lawyer they consulted with wasn’t the lawyer who handled the majority of their case.)

These are just a few of the questions you’ll likely want to ask before deciding which DUI lawyer you want to hire.

Hiring a Kentucky Dui Lawyer is Imperative

Admin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:52:15 +0000

Kentucky DUI Law: Kentucky uses two theories to find liability in drivers suspected of DUI. The first of these is the per se theory of intoxication. Under the per se rule, any person with a blood alcohol level that exceeds .08% is per se guilty of violating the state’s prohibition against driving while intoxicated. The per se rule is a little tricky, since it does not take into account the state of the driver at the time of the arrest. Proof of per se intoxication is typically obtained through blood or breath testing, although the police may request a urine test if they believe it is the best means of ascertaining the arrestee’s level of intoxication.

New bill would lower high blood-alcohol threshold for aggravated drunk driving in Kentucky. A member of the Kentucky State Senate has introduced legislation that would lower the blood-alcohol level for aggravated drunk driving. Kentucky drunk driving laws establish .08% BAC as the threshold of legal intoxication. Currently a BAC of .18% or higher is considered an aggravated offense subject to additional penalties. Senate Bill 71 would establish .15% BAC as the new threshold for aggravated DUI. Under the legislation, a highly intoxicated first offense driver would be required to spend a minimum of four days in jail. The bill also increases the penalties for drivers caught driving under the influence of drugs. The bill has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and will soon be introduced to the full Senate of the Kentucky General Assembly.

DUI Penalties in Kentucky: The criminal penalties associated with driving under the influence in Kentucky become more severe with each offense a person accumulates. The look-back period is helpful in determining if an offender will face penalties for a first offense or a subsequent offense. The penalties for a first DUI offense in Kentucky are a $200 to $500 fine, a service fee of $250, 48 hours to 30 days in jail, not less than 48 hours and not more than 30 days of community service if the offender is eligible, driver’s license suspension of 30 to 120 days, and 90 days of alcohol or drug assessment and treatment. An offender is eligible for a restricted work permit after 30 days of a suspension. Second offenses result in harsher penalties including $350-$500 in fines, $200 in service fees, seven days to six months in jail, not less than 10 days and no more than six months of community service, one year of alcohol and drug assessment and treatment, and 12 to 18 months of license suspension. A third DUI offense in Kentucky results in penalties including a fine of $500 to $1,000, 30 days to 12 months in jail, not less than 10 days and no more than 12 months of community service, 24 to 36 months of license revocation, and one year of mandatory alcohol and drug treatment and assessment. A fourth DUI offense is a class D felony in Kentucky. The offender must serve a mandatory 120 days of a jail sentence that may be from one year to five years in length. The offender’s license will be revoked for 60 months and he or she will have to undergo alcohol and drug assessment and treatment for one year.

Kentucky DUI Lawyer: Kentucky considers driving under the influence a criminal offense that is punishable with both criminal and administrative penalties. Because driving under the influence can result in penalties that are difficult to face when you’re trying to live a normal life, hiring a Kentucky DUI lawyer is imperative if you have been arrested and charged with driving under the influence. Having a skilled Kentucky DUI lawyer representing you will give you the best chance for successfully defending yourself against these charges and keeping your reputation intact. Your Kentucky DUI/DWI lawyer will be familiar with the latest developments on DUI/DWI laws in the state, and can use this knowledge to provide you with the expertise you need to help you avoid costly fines, loss of licence, or even a custodial sentence.

Selecting the Right Dui Lawyer

Admin — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:42:31 +0000

When it comes to dealing with the consequenses a DUI arrest, experience counts, especially when choosing a DUI lawyer. Although the penalties for a first time DUI conviction are serious, they can be life altering for the personwho faces the court with a prior DUI conviction. Choosing the right DUI lawyer can have a significant effect on the outcome of your case. Unfortunately, many people lack the experience necessary to find the most qualified and skillful DUI representation possible.

DUI Penalties Are Serious – Among the penalties for DUI are the loss of the driving license, steep fines, and incarceration. The length of DUI related jail time has increased dramatically over the past decade, as have the fines. In some areas, a DUI can result in the forfeiture of your vehicle. You’ll probably also see that a DUI conviction will substantially raise your car insurance rates for years.

Because of the severity of the penalties, it is essential to engage the services of an experienced, aggressive DUI lawyer. There’s a great deal of specialization in the legal field, and a DUI lawyer can guide tou thru the court system and help sift through mandatory and subjective penalties, working towards the best outcome.

Why Choose A DUI Lawyer? An experienced lawyer, specializing in DUI cases, is aware of the complexities that are part of all DUI cases. For example, it’s debatable about how well roadside equipment is able to reliably and consistently make the sensitive measurements upon which the arrest is based. A knowledgeable DUI lawyer will know that certain health issues can affect the results of the tests used to detect that you’re driving under the influence. There are numerous bits of specialized, important knowledge that DUI lawyers have that can help you, which is why finding the right lawyer is so important.

Most people have little experience in choosing quality representation and during the crisis of a DUI, they can feel overwhelmed by all of the options, or feel pressured to make a quick decision. This can result in a poor or harsh outcome to the case. There’s no need to let that happen.

You need to make an informed decision when searching for a lawyer with the specialized, knowledgeable legal representation you need to assist you in managing your DUI case.

By informing you of the many options available, we can help you to feel greater confidence in making the decision of which DUI lawyer you will choose to represent you. When you’ve been arrested for DUI, it’s serious situation, and experienced, effective representation by a specialized DUI attorney is an essential part of obtaining the best possible outcome.

When Your License is on the Line, Call a DUI Lawyer

Admin — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:34:02 +0000

Driving under the influence (DUI) is illegal throughout the U.S., even if the laws and punishments for driving under the influence vary a little from state to state.

Consequences of DUI

No matter where you live, the consequences for this crime are inconvenient at best and serious at worst. You could have your license suspended, be slapped with some heavy fines or even spend some time in jail. These consequences can make something as vital as getting to work a challenging task.

Speed is of the Essence

If you want to avoid some of all of these consequences, it would probably be wise to hire a DUI lawyer and to hire one quickly after your arrest. In many states, unless you appeal the DMV for a trial, you will automatically lose your license after 10 days or so if you have been caught driving under the influence. So, time is of the essence.

Why You Should Hire a DUI Lawyer

Good DUI lawyers will be able to create considerable doubt in a jury, in spite of unfavorable driving patterns, chemical results and sobriety tests. If your license or your freedom is on the line, their experience is a good ally to have on hand.

Search by City and State

Because the laws vary a little from state to state, you will obviously want to hire a lawyer who knows the laws specific to your state inside and out. Be careful when you eliminate a candidate though because one lawyer might service more than one state. You can also search for good DUI lawyers by city.

Know their Credentials

Even though you don’t have a lot of time to find good DUI lawyers, you still want to know the credentials of the people who will be defending your case. You will probably want to ask questions like, have they been successful in the past? Do they have a good reputation in their area? Where were they educated? How much do they charge? You can get specs on several different DUI lawyers if you find a website that provides mini bios for attorneys all over the country. These short bios usually list such credentials because they want to prove their competency to potential clients.

Free Consultations

Once you have narrowed your search down, you can also get a feel for how helpful lawyers will be by calling up for a free consultation. It won’t cost anything more than your time and a couple phone calls may be the determining factor in which lawyer you choose.

Questions to Ask yourself Before Hiring a Dui Lawyer

Admin — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:24:00 +0000

Hiring the perfect DUI/DWI lawyer to represent you in your DUI case can be a challenge with so many lawyers to choose from. It’s already bad enough that you have to cope with the idea of being arrested and thinking about the next step to take. You conduct searches on the internet for a DUI lawyer and ask friends for referrals, but how do you really know if this will be the right lawyer to represent you? Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you hire a San Diego DUI lawyer to represent you:

1. How long has he/she been practicing DUI/DWI defense? It’s important to know what kind of experience your DUI lawyer has had. Naturally, the more experienced they are, the better they are at finding information and resources to help you with your case.

2. Is the lawyer easily accessible? Can you contact him/her by phone and email without having to go through the run-around? If you have to answer to a lawyer’s secretary all the time, then you’re working with the wrong person.

3. Will the lawyer be in court with you or will he/she send an assistant? It’s important to have someone in court with you whom you trust will represent you well.

4. Is he/she approachable and easy to talk to? How do you feel when you’re interacting with the DUI lawyer? You want to hire a San Diego DUI lawyer who is open and honest with you.

Take your time when hiring a DUI lawyer and don’t hire based on price. Your future and driver’s license are at stake here! You want someone who will represent you to the best of their ability and has a sincere desire to help you.

San Diego DUI Attorney

Admin — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:59:45 +0000

Kate Riding asked:

San Diego DUI Attorney

The best California DUI lawyer has the capability to turn the case in your favor. Toxicologists from the unit also testify as expert witnesses at DUI trials throughout San Diego County. Their are various Law Firma that specialize in defending those accused of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and related drunk driving cases. Society and the courts have declared war on the DUI driver. You will not be granted a restricted license allowing you to drive to and from the DUI course. Each offender must complete a DUI program run by the Department of Motor Vehicles. If you have been charged with DUI, contact an attorney immediately.

If you wait to reinstate until after your revocation period ends, proof of enrollment or completion of DUI School, and treatment, if referred, is required. First of all, owing to the experience in fighting the dui cases, a person can easily consult his case with the attorneys and can come to know about his chances of winning the case. Florida DUI attorneys and lawyers who have experience with both sides of Florida DUI law may be able to aggressively represent your case dealing with a Florida DUI. There are many dui attorneys in Florida that can easily be contacted in order to get the required help. Florida DUI penalties upon conviction are the same, regardless of the manner in which the offense is proven.

Florida DUI Law

DUI cases are among the most difficult police investigations. For third DUI offenses, a felony conviction carrying up to five years in prison is possible. Our law firm was established in the year 1979 and thus, has gathered good experience in dealing the dui cases. The operational plan will be completed and submitted to the troop commander no less than 10 days prior to the start of the DUI Checkpoint. Scott Inman would require DUI and DWI convictions be noted on drivers license. You may be offered the option of taking classes to reduce the penalties associated with your DUI or DWI. In fact, you should consider talking to several different MA or Greater Boston DUI lawyers before you decide. If you plea bargain to the criminal DUI charge, you will receive no more than a license suspension of 30 days. Hiring the best DUI lawyer MA is an appropriate action. Nearly every state has administrative licensing suspension as a part of their DWI and DUI laws. If you have caused an accident, injury or fatality while driving under the influence, DWI and DUI laws allow for much more severe consequences.

Orlando DUI Lawyer

DUI in Florida – In such cases, the relicensed driver is subject to a zero limit for 3 years following relicensing, or for as long as the person is required to use an alcohol interlock. Orlando DUI attorney may be able to move to suppress evidence against you, or even request a dismissal of the charges against you. If no prior DUI related convictions, may be eligible for hardship reinstatement after 5 years. If there are 3 or more convictions of DUI in the last 10 years, the charges can be more serious.

A Few Steps for Deciding Which Dui Attorney you Want to Hire?

Admin — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:41:56 +0000

andy taylor asked:

The Penalties of DUI Accidents: Driving under the influence can mean driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or both types of substances. No matter what type of substance is used in an offense, driving under the influence can cause serious injuries and property damage. In most states, DUI (or DWI as it is called in some states) is a misdemeanor charge. But, this can change if aggravating factors are present or if you’ve had multiple convictions within a specific time period. Aggravating factors can include injuries or property damage caused by DUI accidents, having a child in the vehicle while the offense is being committed, or having a blood alcohol level that is considered extremely high. Being knowledgeable about the consequences of DUI accidents can help you to better understand DUI law and perhaps help you avoid serious criminal charges.

How to choose a DUI Attorney?Before you hire a DUI lawyer, or any other type of lawyer, meet with him or her first. Most lawyers will not charge you to meet with them while you’re looking for someone to handle your case. Having a face to face meeting with your lawyer before hiring him or her is good for both the client and the attorney. You’ll want to hire someone you feel comfortable working with. A face to face meeting helps you determine whether or not you feel comfortable. It also helps the lawyer decide if he or she feels comfortable working with you and wants to take on your case. Before going to any consultations with lawyers (and you should consult with at least two lawyers before making a decision) do some research. The yellow pages is a good place to look for a lawyer but remember that the DUI lawyer with the biggest ad is not necessarily the best lawyer for you to hire. He or she is just the person with the biggest ad. You want a lawyer with DUI expertise and experience. The library is another good place to do research. Your local library should have a copy of the Martindale Hubbell law directory. The directory does its best to list every lawyer in the United States along with his or her area(s) of speciality. You can search the directory by either location or area of law each lawyer deals with. The directory is also available online. People you know can also be a good source of information regarding a good lawyer. Create a list of questions you want to ask each lawyer during the consultation so you can compare each lawyer equally before deciding who you would like to hire to represent you. A few questions you may want to have on the list you make are:

1) What percent of the cases you handle are DUI or impaired driver? (Remember that you want someone who is very familiar with the current laws in your state.)

3) What costs besides attorney fees will I be responsible for? (In addition to lawyer fees you may be responsible for things like court costs and filing fees).

These are just a few of the questions you’ll likely want to ask before deciding which DUI lawyer you want to hire.