| Most people do not like to hear this, but the number 1 | | | | must be followed. Not following the rules can impair a |
| thing to do if charged with drunk driving is to hire a | | | | person's defense to a drunk driving charge. |
| drunk driving lawyer. Here's why. | | | | During a trial, there are rules of evidence which must |
| First, the consequences of being found guilty of driving | | | | be followed. If the rules are not followed, certain |
| drunk can be far reaching. There are the actual legal | | | | evidence may not be admitted into trial and a jury will |
| penalties, but a drunk driving can also affect your auto | | | | not know about the evidence. Or, if a person does not |
| insurance, your employment, and your driving and/or | | | | know the rules of evidence, some evidence may be |
| criminal record. | | | | admitted into the trial that should not be admitted and |
| In most states, there are laws which help reduce the | | | | the jury may learn some things that the jury should not |
| negative impact of a drunk driving conviction on a first | | | | learn. |
| time offender. And in some cases, a drunk driving | | | | As the trial progresses and at the end of the trial, |
| conviction may be expunged or removed from a | | | | there are certain motions that need to be made in |
| driver's record. | | | | order to protect a person's rights. |
| Experienced lawyers can explain in detail the | | | | It is not the Judge's duty to raise questions on |
| consequences that a person faces and whether or | | | | evidence or to make motions. It is the person being |
| not and how the consequences can be reduced. | | | | tried or his lawyer's duty to do these things. |
| Second, before going to trial on a drunk driving charge, | | | | Forth, experienced attorneys know the ins and outs of |
| a prosecutor may be willing to negotiate a plea | | | | what needs to be proved or disproved and how to |
| agreement. An experienced lawyer should not be | | | | prove or disprove. For example, if part of the evidence |
| fooled by the prosecutor into accepting what sounds | | | | against a person is breathalyzer test results, the |
| like a good agreement, but what is actually a bad | | | | experienced attorneys know how to attack the |
| agreement. Rather, the lawyer should know what is a | | | | breathalyzer test to try to create reasonable doubt in |
| good deal and what isn't. | | | | a juror's mind. And when reasonable doubt is created |
| Third, if it is in a person's best interest to fight the | | | | in a juror's mind, the defendant should win. |
| charge, an experienced drunk driving attorney will | | | | This is general information only. If you have any |
| know how to fight. Going to court on a drunk driving | | | | questions whatsoever, talk with a lawyer licensed in |
| case is not a do it yourself situation. | | | | your state. |
| Some people believe that they have researched the | | | | This article may be republished, but the wording must |
| law and they know what the prosecutor has to prove. | | | | not be changed and the author links must remain |
| But what they do not know is that Courts have both | | | | active. |
| rules of criminal procedure and local Court rules which | | | | |