Skip to main content

Do You Need a Defense Attorney for Drunk Driving Charges?

Drunk driving is actually a broad term that refers to specific charges such as Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or even Driving Under the Influence with Marijuana. If you have been charged with operating a vehicle under the influence, it's time to think about hiring a skilled defense attorney.

It's important to keep in mind that some Fort Lauderdale defense lawyers will tell you a defense lawyer is required in absolutely all drunk driving charges, but this may not be true. Whether you need to hire a defense lawyer will depend on many things.

Are You Going to Plead Guilty?

If you plan to plead guilty, you do not need to hire a defense lawyer. You will also not need a lawyer if it is your first offense, no one was hurt and you have a very high chance of being convicted, as there is nothing they can do here.

There are two main situations in which you will likely end up pleading guilty: irrefutable evidence you were intoxicated and a high blood alcohol content (BAC). If your mandatory blood test or breath test put you well over 0.08 BAC, there is a very high chance of conviction. If a police officer or witness testifies you were intoxicated and field sobriety tests back up their testimony, you will most likely be convicted, even if your test shows a BAC under 0.08.

When Do I Need a Defense Lawyer?

A skilled Broward criminal lawyer becomes much more helpful as the uncertainty in your case increases. That's because plea bargaining is more possible in these cases. If your blood or breath test showed a BAC under 0.09, or field tests were inconclusive and police officers saw no obvious behavior of intoxication, the prosecutor may be more willing to reduce your charges, possibly to reckless driving. A Broward criminal lawyer can help you in negotiating your case and possibly getting your charges reduced.

Hire an Attorney if You Go to Trial

You have the legal right to represent yourself in any case that goes to trial, but it's not usually a good idea. If your drunk driving case goes to trial, you will want an experienced trial defense attorney by your side. Most of these cases will involve expert witnesses, often times the officer because many receive additional training in this area. Still, there are very few police officers prepared to testify about the machine that determines your BAC or the scientific effect of that precise amount of alcohol on your body. A very good Fort Lauderdale defense lawyer may be able to use this to create reasonable doubt in your case.

If you aren't sure if your case warrants the help of a defense lawyer, ere on the side of caution. A lawyer will help you understand Florida laws about DUI offenses and may even get your charges reduced in some cases.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer

Life is about having fun and living it to its' fullest. We try our best to do the right things every day but sometimes it can get out of hand and some bad choices are made.  When these bad choices show their ugly heads we usually need some extra guidance to make sure everything ends up okay. It's a great choice to go talk with a Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer . These trained professionals with years of schooling can help you move on with your life and make the bad choice only a memory of your past. The most common offense that people have to face is driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Every case is different depending on the circumstances. Some people get lesser sentences if their alcohol level isn't too high but high enough to be over the legal limit. If this is a first offense there might be a lesser sentence like community service or a small fine. It gets really tricky when the Fort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer has many offenses with co...
Post a Comment
Read more

Illegal Immigration - Their Impact on Our Society

Foreign citizens of a particular nation that do not possess the requisite documents to reside in the country are regarded as illegal immigrants. Basically, every immigrant or foreign national is required to possess some standard documents without which his or her stay in a particular is illegal. Illegal immigration results from secret entry into the nation or entry with falsified documents. Another category of illegal immigrants stems from those that lawfully gained entry into the nation but overstayed their visits by violating the terms of entry as they violate the temporary stay duration they were granted. Human trafficking by international smuggling groups also account for some of the illegal immigration cases. The impact of illegal immigration on the society cannot be over-emphasized. It is however worth noting that this phenomenon has hot its positive and negative effect. However, one outweighs the order and different quarters make their judgment based on the perspective th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Divorce Lawyers in Miami, FL

Divorce is an unfortunate reality for many people. Even the best marriages can end in divorce. Divorce can be brought on by many things like disagreements, infidelity, money problems, irreconcilable differences, health problems, and so much more. Statistics say that 60 percent of marriages for couples between the ages of 20 and 25 end in divorce, and that 50 percent of all marriages in which the brides are 25 or older result in a failed marriage. Divorces can be difficult and painful, but having the right representation can help relieve some of the stress. Divorce lawyers in Miami will guide you through the legal aspects of your divorce, and help you reach an appropriate settlement for all of your marital assets. Here are just a few examples of things that are settled in a divorce: 1. Children - If you have children, you must determine a custody agreement. 2. Home - What will happen to the home you shared with your spouse and the contents within? 3. Other real estate - I...
Post a Comment
Read more