Anyone facing a charge of DUI in Washington DC is advised to seek the services of an experienced DC DUI lawyer to represent them. Charges of driving under the influence in DC are very serious and the penalties for being found guilty can range from large fines to mandatory jail terms. Drivers who have been charged with DUI will also have their license revoked and must reapply for it even if they are later acquitted.
Being charged with DUI rests upon the results of a blood alcohol test which will be carried out at the time of arrest and which will show the levels of alcohol in your system. In all states the minimum level is 0.08% although you may still be charged if the result is lower than this. Those with levels significantly higher can face harsher than usual penalties and for underage drivers the minimum permitted level is lower.
A DC DUI lawyer will be able to advise on the law as it relates to your case along with the potential penalties you could face. You do have the right to represent yourself, but unless you have extensive knowledge of the law and legal system as it relates to your case, you are unlikely to succeed in being acquitted. You also have the right to request a court-appointed lawyer if hiring a private DUI lawyer is beyond your means.
DUI cases are complex and can involve much time consuming paperwork and meetings with officials. Hiring a lawyer will mean they will manage the case for you and will ensure all the correct paperwork is filed and can meet with officials both in the courts and sate motor department on your behalf.
Preparing your defense relies on being able to interpret and understand the evidence against you, how this was gathered and whether or not the correct procedures where followed. There may also be witnesses to interview and extenuating circumstances to consider. It is usual for your lawyer to question the validity of the evidence and to offer alternative explanations for the test results. Whether you are acquitted or convicted can depend upon the strength of the evidence against you and the penalty you are given can rest with the discretion of the judge presiding over your case.
Multiple convictions for DUI in any state will incur harsher penalties than first time convictions, so hiring a good DC DUI lawyer becomes even more important if you are to try and obtain a more lenient penalty. In some circumstances your lawyer may advise the entering of a plea bargain, where by pleading guilty you could receive a lesser penalty. Being convicted for DUI could result in you loosing your job, particularly if you drive school buses, taxis or some heavy goods vehicles and many often find their insurance premiums rise significantly or that they become uninsurable.
When looking for a lawyer it is a good idea to try to meet with several before deciding on whom to hire. Your first consultation is often free and will give you the chance to find out more about them and whether or not you would be comfortable working with them.
Kyle Travis is a researcher and writer, he is fond of writing articles about DC DUI Lawyer and other related topics.
