Table Of Contents
- Understanding Why a License is Suspended after a DUI
- What a DUI Lawyer Can Do for You?
- 1. Requesting a DMV Hearing
- 2. Entering a Plea Bargain for a Restricted or Hardship License
- 3. Defending You in Criminal Court
- 4. Guiding You Through License Reinstatement
- How to Choose a DUI Lawyer? - Steps to Follow
- 1. Legal Experience
- 2. Knowledge of Local Laws
- 3. Legal Credentials and Lawyer Reputation
- 4. Fees of the DUI Lawyer
- 5. Ability to Communicate and Compatibility
- Reach Out to a DUI Lawyer Now
Can a DUI Lawyer Help You Keep Your License?
Getting arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) may turn out to be a life-changing event. One of the first questions that comes to the mind of many drivers is whether they are going to lose their driver’s license.
Indeed, driving is a necessity in going to work, school, and in any other activity for the day. Therefore, can a DUI lawyer like David Anber’s Law Office prevent you from losing your license? More importantly, will a DUI lawyer be able to defend your rights?
In the short answer, yes – there are some important things to understand, though.
Understanding Why a License is Suspended after a DUI
As a rule, a DUI arrest initiates two separate processes in most states: criminal proceedings and administrative license suspension (ALS) via the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or similar.
The administrative suspension may happen before you are done with your criminal case. Regardless of which state you’re living in, your license can be automatically suspended if the following scenario occurs with you:
- You refuse to submit to a breathalyzer or chemical test
- You fail a breathalyzer test when your blood alcohol concentration level is higher than the prescribed legal limits.
This means that your driving privileges and rights can be in danger in the days after your arrest, before even entering a courtroom.
What a DUI Lawyer Can Do for You?
A good DUI attorney will do all it takes to ensure that you gain your driving privileges back. Moreover, they will also ensure that your rights are protected. Here’s how:
1. Requesting a DMV Hearing
In most instances, you only get a small time frame to file for a hearing with the DMV to appeal your administrative suspension (7-10 days). A DUI attorney can file this request on your behalf and prepare a good defense for you at the hearing.
The lawyer can address the legality of the traffic stop, breathalyzer accuracy, or the officer’s procedures – all of them might be the reason to reverse the suspension.
2. Entering a Plea Bargain for a Restricted or Hardship License
If a complete avoidance of suspension is impossible, your lawyer will help you obtain a restricted or hardship license. This is the kind of license that lets you drive for essential things such as work, school, or medical visits, even during the period of your suspension.
In such cases, a court is likely to award such exceptions when one seeks legal representation to build a good case.
3. Defending You in Criminal Court
Your DUI lawyer will also proceed with you in the criminal case, which can include:
- Questioning the evidence (ex., Field sobriety exams or testing in a laboratory)
- Working out plea bargains or lessened charges
- Fighting for probation or alternative sentences as opposed to jail sentences.
The attainment of victory or a settlement on terms of a criminal case of yours can have a tremendous impact on the state of your license. In certain instances, a good defense can mean that a suspension is not awarded at all.
4. Guiding You Through License Reinstatement
In case your license is suspended, a DUI lawyer can help you understand the procedures you have to follow if you want to have your license reinstated once the period for your license to be reinstated elapses. This often includes:
- Completing DUI education programs
- Paying reinstatement fees
- Providing proof of SR-22 insurance (in case needed)
Having the help of the law, you will not miss anything, and you will be able to return to the road as soon as possible.
How to Choose a DUI Lawyer? – Steps to Follow
Primarily, DUI charges are mostly really impactful and complex. Hence, you must choose a skilled and experienced lawyer. This way, you will be able to protect your rights and defend yourself against the legal charges in court. In fact, by choosing the right DUI lawyer, you will be able to ensure a better outcome.
The following are the steps you must follow if you want to choose a DUI lawyer for yourself:
1. Legal Experience
Legal representation depends a lot on experience. Hence, you must always choose a DUI lawyer who has a proven track record of handling DUI cases. In this case, their success rate in DUI cases matters more than the number of years they have spent in legal representation.
2. Knowledge of Local Laws
Having local knowledge is critical for all DUI cases. In general, DUI laws and legal rights might vary from state to state (even at the local level). Hence, while choosing a lawyer, make sure that the expert is familiar with the local courts, judges, and even prosecutors. This way, you will have higher chances of protecting your rights.
3. Legal Credentials and Lawyer Reputation
In many cases, legal credentials are important. If the DUI lawyer is a member of a major professional organization, they will be better able to ensure rights protection. Also, you must check their online reviews and look for testimonials from previous clients.
4. Fees of the DUI Lawyer
It is always a good idea to discuss the lawyer’s fees beforehand. Obviously, you might want to work with a DUI lawyer who will protect your driving and other legal rights within your budget. However, quality lawyers mostly offer their services for a higher price. In fact, it is always a good idea to be transparent about legal fees.
5. Ability to Communicate and Compatibility
You must always choose a DUI lawyer with whom you are comfortable. Hence, when you are having the initial consultation, take note of whether ther lawyer is communicating with you or not. Apart from that, check whether they are attentive and showing empathy or not.
Reach Out to a DUI Lawyer Now
Therefore, can a DUI lawyer save you from losing your license? Absolutely. Honestly, no attorney will be able to assure particular results. However, you must try to have a well-informed DUI attorney on your side. This way, you will get the most optimal support for defending your driving rights.
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