Drunk driving puts lives at risk. That is why driving under the influence (DUI) is a very serious criminal offence in many countries. Depending on the alcohol concentration in your blood, your previous driving record, and some other factors, you may face a jail sentence, or a large fine.
If you are arrested for drunk driving, you will get a chance to represent yourself in court. You can hire a private lawyer or let a public attorney handle your case. Whether you need a private lawyer for your case or not depends on several factors. Let’s see what those factors are, so you can make a better decision.
Reach out to an experienced lawyer
If you have no legal experience, you may not know how to find legal flaws in your DUI case. DUI rules also change with time, so letting someone who is aware of the current laws and has been handling DUI cases for years can help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your case, according to the current laws.
Many DUI lawyers offer free consultations. You should not miss this opportunity. Make a list of the questions you have in mind, and go for the free consultation. Ask the lawyer if there is any chance they can reduce your charge. Don’t forget to bring all the necessary documents with you.
No need to hire an attorney for a standard first DUI case
Standard first DUI cases are cases in which the defendant has committed this crime for the first time, he has not injured anyone, and his alcohol concentration is not too high, according to Nolo. These cases are dealt with mostly the same way. That is why, in most cases, hiring an attorney won’t really make a difference in these cases.
Public Defender vs Private Lawyer
The court will provide you with a public defender if you cannot afford a private lawyer, says HG.org. Public defenders deal with many cases each day and have enough knowledge to defend different DUI cases.
However, people who let public defenders handle their cases often complain that their cases do not get as much attention as they need, because the defender has to handle many other cases at the same time. Also, the court provides you with the defender. You don’t get a chance to select a public defender who you think is more suitable for your case.
This does not happen when you work with a private DUI lawyer, such as Bubbahead.com. You can select a lawyer who you think is most suitable for your case.
Represent your case in front of the judge
Although you can represent your case on your own, it is usually not considered a good idea. There are certain rules of the court that people are generally unaware of. Most judges do not have time to tolerate this behaviour. So, it is better to let an experienced attorney represent your case professionally in front of the judge.
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