| Most times when people are arrested for driving under | | | | Administrative Hearings - You'll most likely be required |
| the influence, the first thing they want to know is how | | | | to attend administrative hearings that are held to |
| to get out of a DUI charge. Since DUI is a criminal | | | | determine the status of your driving privileges after |
| offense, so there's really no easy answer. | | | | you have been arrested for a driving under the |
| If you're arrested and charged with DUI, you'll have to | | | | influence charge. Driving is something most people take |
| go through a criminal trial and administrative hearings | | | | for granted, but each state considers it a privilege and |
| concerning your driving privileges, if you're not able to | | | | not an absolute right, which means that it can be taken |
| make a plea bargain. Trying to handle all of these | | | | away at any time. Some states allow you to appeal a |
| proceedings by yourself is probably the fastest way | | | | license suspension so that you can continue to drive |
| to lose your criminal case and your driving privileges at | | | | up until your criminal trial takes place. For example, you |
| the same time. And you could quite possibly be | | | | may need to drive to get back and forth from your |
| spending time behind bars. | | | | job. Your attorney can work with you concerning this |
| If you make the mistake of choosing an attorney who | | | | matter to prepare for the appeal hearing. Your |
| doesn't specialize in DUI, you're risking your freedom | | | | attorney can also speak on your behalf during this |
| and reputation, since being convicted can result in a | | | | hearing so that you have a better chance of getting |
| harsh jail sentence in many states. Working with an | | | | your driving privileges reinstated, even if the restoration |
| aggressive attorney who knows and specializes in DUI | | | | is only of a temporary nature. Your lawyer, if he |
| and understands the subject inside and out is the best | | | | specializes in DUI defense, will know what to say and |
| way to successfully defend yourself against a DUI | | | | how to handle your case because of the experience |
| charge. | | | | he has in the field of DUI law. |
| Prepare for Your Case - Right from the beginning, | | | | Sentencing - If you're convicted of driving under the |
| most people start thinking about how to get out of | | | | influence, there is no way to get out of the DUI itself, |
| their DUI charges. First of all, off you want to get out | | | | but there is a way that you can minimize the damage |
| of your DUI, you should talk with your attorney and find | | | | and penalties that are placed upon you. Your lawyer |
| out if a plea agreement is available. In some states, | | | | can speak out on your behalf before sentencing takes |
| you may be able to plead guilty to a lesser charge and | | | | place so that the judge can hear and consider all of |
| be subjected to lesser penalties. If you can't arrange a | | | | the circumstances in your case. This can go a long |
| plea agreement, your case will proceed to trial and | | | | way towards reducing the severeness of any |
| you'll be facing the full range of criminal penalties if | | | | punishment imposed. |
| you're convicted of DUI charges. | | | | For example, your attorney may let the judge know |
| Your Criminal Trial - If you weren't able to make a plea | | | | that you have a disability or that you're responsible for |
| agreement, your criminal trial will be scheduled to | | | | caring for an elderly parent and therefore must remain |
| proceed. The best you can make at this stage of the | | | | out of jail and also be able to retain some, maybe |
| process is to make absolutely sure you're working with | | | | limited, driving privileges. If your lawyer can convince |
| a fully qualified and experienced DUI lawyer. When you | | | | the judge that your incarceration would create a |
| have a lawyer that specializes in DUI on your side, | | | | hardship for others, the judge may be lenient and |
| you'll have access to expert witnesses and specific | | | | sentence you to other penalties such as alcohol |
| information that can make a big difference during your | | | | education, community service or probation instead of |
| trial. Expert witnesses can help you by refuting | | | | jail time. Don't go it alone - Working with a DUI attorney |
| testimony or showing that chemical test results were | | | | is the best answer to the question of how to get out |
| invalid or unreliable. Your lawyer will have access to | | | | of a DUI. Experienced professionals have a high |
| many of these types of witnesses, since he'll have had | | | | degree of knowledge and a great deal of experience |
| extensive experience in the field of DUI law. Your | | | | in handling DUI cases, so they know how to best |
| lawyer will also know where to look for information | | | | present a defense for your specific situation, insuring |
| that could further assist you during your trial, such as | | | | the minimum punishment. Of course, no one can |
| decisions made in previous cases. If, due to financial | | | | absolutely guarantee that you will win your case, but |
| restraints, you're fighting this battle with a public | | | | having an experienced, aggressive DUI lawyer on your |
| defender or a lawyer who doesn't specialize in DUI | | | | side can make the difference between winning and |
| defense, you'll lose out on these benefits and your | | | | losing. |
| struggle will be all uphill. | | | | |