A recent question on our forum ask if the state could charge a driver for drunk driving eight months after the drunk driving accident occurred. The statute of limitations, which is determined by each state’s legislature, is the amount of time the state or prosecutor has to initiate a criminal case against the driver. If the state does not file the charges within the prescribed statute of limitations, the state is usually not allowed to do so in the future.

Statutes of limitations for misdemeanors and felonies can vary by state. Many states allow the state to file misdemeanor charges up to a year after the offense. Talk to a drunk driving lawyer for more information about your state.

The question that should be asked, however, is not whether drunk driving charges can be filed, but whether or not the state gathered enough evidence at the time of the drunk driving accident to prove their drunk driving case.

What does the state have to prove for a drunk driving arrest?

To convict a driver a drunk driving the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the driver either was operating or intending to operate a motorized vehicle (which was operable) while they were either under the influence of alcohol or drugs (including narcotic, hallucinogenic, or habit producing drug) or that their blood alcohol concentration was 0.08% or higher.

Obviously chemical testing is the most damning evidence. It generally provides objective, scientific evidence against the driver. If the state has gathered blood alcohol concentration information against the driver the drunk driving defense attorney may discredit the evidence if they can prove:

• The breathalyzer equipment was not inspected according to established procedures or it was not in proper working order and may have registered an inaccurate blood alcohol concentration level.
• The police officer did not properly perform the test which may have registered an inaccurate blood alcohol concentration reading.
• The police officer did not follow accepted procedures or failed to give the driver accurate information prior to administering the test.

What if the driver did not take a blood alcohol content test?

Obviously, the drunk driving case becomes much more difficult for the state to prove if the driver did not take a blood alcohol concentration test, but not impossible. Drunk driving evidence can also include witness testimony, physical evidence such as a field sobriety test, slurred speech, stumbling, blood shot eyes and other physical impairments.

What do I do if I have not been charged after my drunk driving arrest?

Some drivers are stopped for drunk driving and then have to wait weeks to find out from the district attorney whether or not they have been charged for drunk driving. Keep in mind, the D.A. has months to file  their drunk driving charges and if you took a urine or blood test the D.A. may simply be waiting for the results of the blood alcohol content test to be returned to them, which could take three months or longer, before they file charges again you.

The best thing to do if you have been arrested for drunk driving is to contact a drunk driving lawyer. There are immediate steps that must be taken to stop an administrative license suspension, regardless of whether or not the state decides to charge you with a crime. A drunk driving lawyer may provide a free consultation to review your DUI case and determine the next steps. If you are arrested for drunk driving, even a first time DUI arrest, you could be facing high fines, jail time, probation and a suspended driver’s license. State laws vary, review our state DUI pages for more information about the specific penalties you might face if convicted of a DUI in your state.

Related articles

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• Appealing Your Drunk Driving Conviction (duiattorneyhome.com)
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California Minors arrested for Drunk Driving

Recently states have implemented more severe drunk driving laws for minors. Although in many states a driver may be able to legally operate a motorized vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration up to 0.08%, underage drivers or minors in the state of California are unable to legally driver if the blood alcohol content level is 0.01%.

These laws are called “zero tolerance” laws and it means that if a minor consumes as little as one beer or one class of wine, the driver can face a one year license suspension by the California Department of Motorized Vehicles (or a one delay in getting their driver’s license). Minors who refuse to the blood alcohol content test at the time of their arrest may face additional penalties such as a driver’s license suspension of one to three years. Although this is not considered a criminal offense, this civil offense is illegal under California Vehicle Code 23136.

At the time of the California DUI arrest, the California driver’s license is confiscated by the police officer, and the driver has a 10 days to request an Administrative Hearing. At the Administrative hearing the minor has the option to hire a drunk driving attorney to represent them. Minors may also have witnesses attend the hearing, testify on their own behalf and cross-examine witnesses for the state.

Minor Drivers in California with Blood Alcohol Content of 0.05% to 0.08%

Minor drivers arrested with a blood alcohol content level of 0.05% or higher face a misdemeanor drunk driving charge. Penalties become increasingly severe with every subsequent drunk driving arrest. For a first arrest the driver faces the following drunk driving penalties:

1. Fines and penalties of $100

Plus the following civil penalties (for violating California’s zero tolerance laws):

1. One year license suspension
2. Mandatory attendance in a 3 month alcohol program prior to license reinstatement
3. Possible participation in a youth drunk driving program which can include visiting the emergency room, an alcohol recovery center, talking to and visiting with the coroner and potentially interacting with victims of drunk driving accidents.
4. Additionally, a judge will expect the minor to abstain from further use of illegal drugs or alcohol

Minor Drivers in California with Blood Alcohol Content of greater than 0.08%

Minor drivers who are arrested with a blood alcohol content level above the illegal limit of 0.08% will be convicted of a California drunk driving charge. This blood alcohol content level is the illegal limit for all drivers, not just those who are over 21 years of age. If a minor is convicted of a misdemeanor drunk driving charge in California there are serious drunk driving penalties.

Penalties for minors convicted of a California drunk driving charge include:

1. 3 to 5 years informal probation
2. Six month license suspension
3. Up to one year in jail
4. Up to $1,000 in fines
5. Alcohol education course

Hiring a Drunk Driving Lawyer

If you have been arrested for drunk driving and you are a minor, this can be extremely serious. Do not wait to talk to someone about your drunk driving charges, especially if your blood alcohol concentration levels were above 0.08%.

Related articles

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• Reinstating License after Georgia Drunk Driving conviction (duiattorneyhome.com)
• Drunk Driving and Hardship License in Mississippi (duiattorneyhome.com)

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A recent question posted on our forum indicated a North Carolina resident was charged with drunk driving in North Carolina, not while they were operating their motorized vehicle but while they were walking out of Walmart. The driver wants to know if this is legal and how they should fight against this drunk driving charge.

State courts have upheld that a driver, even if they were not physically driving, could be considered in “actual physical control” of their car if they were sitting in their car, had the keys in their possession or even if they were sleeping in their car.

North Carolina Drunk Driving Laws

In 2006, the North Carolina legislature made substantial changes to the drunk driving laws of North Carolina. These laws were effective December 1, 2006. According to the law, a driver “commits the offense of impaired driving if he drivers or is in actual physical control of a vehicle which is in motion or has the motor running.”

North Carolina Court of Appeals has upheld “actual physical control” statutes and state they can include:

• Admission by the driver that they were driving even if they were not seen operating the vehicle
• Drivers asleep behind the wheel
• Drivers seated in the car with the heater running
• Drivers found asleep with the engine running at a stop sign

The statute specifically related to a public vehicular area which is defined as “ a highway, any street, or any public vehicular area within this State.” The statute excludes property or land which is not open to the public for use, but the appeals court decided that private businesses and parking lots can be considered “public vehicular areas.” The ruling also stressed that whether or not the business is open or serving the public at the time of the North Carolina drunk driving arrest is irrelevant.

North Carolina defines impaired driving as either consuming drugs or alcohol to the extent that the driver has “lost normal control of their bodily or mental faculties causing appreciable impairment or their blood alcohol concentration is above 0.08% with or without mental or physical impairment observed.”

Hiring a Drunk Driving Lawyer

What is the best course of action for our driver in North Carolina? They need to talk to a drunk driving lawyer. The driver did not mention whether or not they admitted to operating the vehicle or what observations the police officer made at the time of the drunk driving arrest concerning the driver’s behavior.

For instance, did the driver stumble through the parking lot, drop a bag of groceries, fumble with their keys, get in their car and start the car- with the full intention of driving even though they were clearly intoxicated? Without more information about the DUI arrest, it is impossible to say for sure.  If there is little evidence they were intoxicated it may be helpful to get video surveillance which might prove that they were not physically impaired and not close to their car.

Drunk driving laws vary by state; talk to a DUI lawyer who understands drunk driving laws in North Carolina.

Related articles

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Can I get a license reinstatment?

If you have been arrested and convicted for a Georgia DUI you no doubt realize that the current drunk driving penalties can be very serious. One of the most difficult drunk driving penalties is having your Georgia driver’s license suspended or revoked.

According to the Georgia Department of Driver Services, if they choose to revoke your driving privileges your privilege to drive is actually terminated until the end of the prescribed period outlined by the Department. If you license has been revoked you will have to apply for a new Georgia license after specific requirements are met.

If you face a suspension, as opposed to a license revocation, your driving privileges are only temporarily suspended for a time and you may apply for a new license after specific requirements are met.

If you have had your Georgia Driver’s license suspended for drunk driving you cannot get a new driver’s license without first completing a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program approved by the Department of Driver Services and providing proof to the Department of Driver Services. You must also pay a $200 process fee (if paid by mail) and a $210 processing fee if paid in person.

Contact the Department Of Driver Services 678-413-8400, or toll-free 866-754-3687. They are open Monday through Friday, 7:00 am until 5:15 pm to assist with reinstatement questions. Inquiries can also be made by letter. Mail to: Georgia Department of Driver Services, Post Office Box 80447, Conyers, Ga. 30013. This request must contain your name as it appears on your driver’s license, license number, date of birth, correct mailing address, and your signature.

Reinstating your Georgia Commercial License

If you have lost your commercial license due to a Georgia drunk driving charge and your livelihood is threatened, this is very serious. If you have been arrested for drunk driving because you either refused to take a blood alcohol content test or your blood alcohol content was above the legal limit of 0.08% (for non-commercial drivers) and 0.04% (for commercial drivers), you are facing a license suspension of one year.

Drivers who submitted to a blood alcohol content test may have their commercial license reinstated after 120 days, assuming they did not have any prior Georgia drunk driving convictions in the last 5 years. Drivers who refuse the blood alcohol content test will not have this option.

The license suspension could be even more severe if you are carrying hazardous materials or if you have refused to take a blood alcohol content test more than once within the last 5 years. In this case, you may lose your commercial license for good, without a 10 year license reinstated waiting period.

Hiring a Georgia Drunk Driving Lawyer

Whether you are a commercial driver and need your driver’s license to make your living  or not, a drunk driving charge can be very serious. Do not try to fight a Georgia DUI on your own. Even first time Georgia DUI offenders will face serious drunk driving charges.

Make sure you understand drunk driving laws. Administrative license suspensions initiated by the Department of Driver Services are in addition to criminal penalties which may be sanctioned by a Georgia criminal court.

Related articles

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• Drunk driving and a license suspension in Missouri (duiattorneyhome.com)
• Texas Drunk Driving License Suspensions (duiattorneyhome.com)

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If you are arrested for drunk driving in Florida and your blood alcohol content level is 0.08% or higher or you refused the blood alcohol content test, your Florida driver’s license may be suspended.

You may request an administrative license review at the Florida Department of Safety and Motor Vehicles Bureau of Administrative Reviews within 10 days from your drunk driving arrest. You will be issued a temporary license which can be used up to 42 days after your drunk driving arrest. You are allowed to hire a Florida drunk driving lawyer to review your DUI arrest and appear at the formal hearing.

After the Administrative Hearing in Florida

If you win at the hearing your license is returned to you. If you lose, your Florida license may be suspended up to 18 months. Under some conditions you may be eligible to apply for a hardship license after 30 days or 90 days for refusing to take the chemical test. Keep in mind, the drunk driving penalties assessed by the Florida Department of Safety and Motor Vehicles Bureau of Administrative Reviews are separate from DUI criminal penalties from a Florida drunk driving arrest.

Under some conditions, the court may require you to complete a DUI school, purchase liability insurance and install an ignition interlock device (although rare for first time Florida DUI offenders). After you have completed these steps, or whatever steps are ordered by the court, you can go to any Administrative Reviews Office to apply for your hardship license.

What happens after a Florida Drunk Driving Conviction?

If you have been convicted of drunk driving and it is your first time, you may have your driver’s license suspended for 180 days up to 1 year. If your drunk driving resulted in serious bodily injury to another person your license revocation can be for up to 3 years. How long your license will be suspended will depend on several factors including whether this is your first drunk driving charge, how long it has been from subsequent drunk driving arrests and whether or not your DUI caused bodily injury to another person.

• First DUI convictions can expect a 180 day to one year suspension (effective on conviction date)
• Second DUI convictions (more than 5 years from the first) 180 days to 1 year
• Second DUI conviction in less than 5 years- drivers may have their license suspended for five years but they may apply for a hardship after one year.

Steps to Reinstate Florida license after Drunk Driving

Prior to the expiration of the revocation period you can apply for a hardship license in your county. Under some conditions you must complete a DUI education course.

What you will need:

• Proof of enrollment or completion of DUI school and treatment. If you do not complete the course within 90 days from the date of your license reinstatement your license can be suspended.
• If you are requesting a hardship license or a reinstatement, you must complete the required examination.
• Payment of the administrative fee, revocation reinstatement fee and license fee are required.
• If your DUI occurred after October 1, 2007, according to the Florida Department of Safety and Motor Vehicles Bureau, you “must provide proof of bodily injury liability insurance in the amount of 100,000 per person, 300,000 per occurrence and 50,000 property damage liability on the arrest date or proof of liability coverage and a reinstatement fee of $150 up to $500, for subsequent violations will be required.”

Related articles

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• Drunk Driving and Look back laws in Texas (duiattorneyhome.com)

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Information for Washout periods in Texas

Washout periods or look back periods vary by state. In the state of Texas the look back period for drunk driving is 10 years. If a driver has been arrested for drunk driving and it is more than 10 years from a previous drunk driving charge, the second DWI arrest is considered their first DWI arrest. What does this mean? It means the old DWI arrest has “dropped off” the driver’s record and is no longer used to increase the DWI penalties for subsequent DWI arrests.

If, however, the driver has a prior Texas drunk driving conviction less than 10 year look back period from the current drunk driving offense, this current drunk driving arrest is considered their second DWI (or more).

If you have been arrested for drunk driving in Texas but your DWI arrest was more than the 10 year look back period, you could be facing the following DWI penalties:

• Payment of fines up to $2,000 (up to $10,000 if child under the age of 15 is in the car)
• License suspension 90 to 365 days
• DWI surcharge $1,000 per year for 3 years
• Jail term for 72 hours to 180 days

If you have been arrested for a second drunk driving offense and your last Texas DWI was within 10 years, you could be facing the following DWI penalties:

• Payment of a DWI fine up to $4,000 ($10,000 if child under the age of 15 is in the car)
• Jail term of 30 days to 1 year
• License suspension for 180 days to 2 years
• Possible installation of an ignition interlock device
• Addition insurance requirements (Texas SR22 insurance)
• DWI surcharge $1,500 per year for 3 years

Drunk driving arrests in Texas are serious. If you need help fighting your DWI arrest, contact a DUI lawyer.

Texas Drunk Driving Laws

Texas defines drunk driving as driving while intoxicated (DWI). A driver may be charged with a DWI if their blood alcohol content is 0.08% or higher or if their blood alcohol content is lower than 0.08% if the state can prove that they consumed either drugs or alcohol to such a degree that their mental and physical capabilities were compromised and they were not able to safely operate a motorized vehicle (vehicle can include not only a car but also a boat or airplane.

Many Texas drivers do not realize that if you have a driver’s license you have given your implied consent to submit to blood alcohol content test if asked to do so by a police officer. If you refuse, your license will be automatically suspended for at least 90 days. This is called an Administrative License Suspension.

Interstate Drivers License Compact

Texas drivers often wonder what happens if they are arrested for drunk driving in another state. Like most other states, Texas is a member of the Interstate Drivers License Compact. If you are arrested in one state for drunk driving, the state where you are arrested with notify Texas. Depending on the driving infraction, your Texas license may be cancelled.

If you have live in another state and have suspended driver’s license, if you move to Texas you will not be eligible for a Texas Driver’s License. Review Texas Transportation Code 521.201, 37 Texas Administrative Code 15.87 (2) for more information

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Missouri drivers who are arrested for drunk driving and have a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher or who refuse to take a blood, breath or urine test will have their license suspended. The arresting officer will confiscate their license and give them a Notice of Suspension/Revocation (administrative license suspension notice).

The Notice of Suspension or Revocation or administrative license suspension notifies the driver that they will not be able to legally driver 15 days from the date of the drunk driving arrest. Drivers are allowed to request an administrative hearing, and drivers may continue to operate their motorized vehicle  for 15 days after the administrative hearing decision is mailed to them.

Requesting an Administrative Hearing after a Missouri Drunk Driving Arrest

After the driver has been issued the administrative license suspension they must make a written request to the Missouri Department of Revenue, General Counsel’s Office, P.O. Box 475, Jefferson City, MO 65105-0475.

Drivers may request an Administrative Hearing in person or via telephone. Drivers are allowed to hire a drunk driving lawyer to assist with the Administrative Hearing. Drivers who do not request the Administrative Hearing within 15 days from the date of the drunk driving arrest will not have an administrative license hearing and no further appeals can be made regarding drunk driving administrative penalties in Missouri.

Administrative Hearing Process in Missouri

The Missouri Administrative Hearing is conducted by a hearing examiner who is considered both the prosecutor and the judge. Drivers may have a DUI lawyer present. The hearing examiner will review the following:

• Is there probable cause to suggest the driver was intoxicated?
• Was the driver’s  blood alcohol content above the legal limit of 0.08% or higher for an adult and 0.2% for a minor?

Drivers have the right to subpoena the arresting officer if they want them to appear at the administrative hearing. The records of the drunk driving arrest, however, including the testimony of the arresting officer, may be sufficient to prove the two points listed above.

Administrative License suspension and penalties in Missouri

Drivers who have not been arrested or convicted for DUI in the past 5 years and who have the administrative license suspension upheld will have their license suspended for 30 days. A 60 day period of restricted driving privileges will follow the administrative license suspension.

Drivers who have their license suspended may have them reinstated after the suspension period has passed but they must meet certain requirements prior to reinstatement.

To reinstate a Missouri driver’s license drivers must do the following:

1. A completion form for the Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program (SATOP). Contact the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse at 573-522-4020 for questions.
2. Pay the reinstatement fee of $45. Payment must be made to the Missouri Department of Revenue. Drivers should include their full name, address, date of birth, and driver license number on their reinstatement payments.
3. Proof of financial responsibility for 2 years from the date the license revocation or suspension was initiated. Contact your insurance company for more information about SR-22 insurance.
4. Installation of an ignition interlock device. This is only required if you have more than one conviction or test refusal on your record. The ignition interlock device must be kept on your motorized vehicle for 6 months following your reinstatement. The Missouri Department of Transportation must also certify the installation.

Keep in mind, administrative license penalties are separate from drunk driving penalties assessed in Missouri if a driver is convicted of a Missouri drunk driving charge.

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If you find yourself charged with your first drunk driving charge, you could be the beneficiary of a program called the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, or ARD. The Pennsylvania ARD program was originally designed and implemented in the 1980s for first-time drunk driving offenders.

The goal of the program is to take low-risk drunk driving offenders out of the court system and put them into a rehabilitative program to free up time and space for the more violent criminals who are an immediate danger to the public.

Some facts about the Pennsylvania ARD program

It is only for first-time drunk driving offenders and you only get one chance to complete the ARD program. Once you are admitted into the ARD program, you do not have to serve any jail time but you do undergo something similar to probation. You will be supervised for the two years you are in the ARD program while you work to complete the requirements. Here are most of the requirements associated with the ARD program:

* Suspension of your driver’s license (some cases)

* Complete 35 hours of community service within four months of beginning the ARD program.

* Complete an eligible DUI education class

* Go to a Victim Impact Panel

* Complete drug and alcohol evaluations

* Successfully complete any treatment that is recommended after the initial evaluations

* Pay all fees and fines associated with the DUI and ARD program.

While the initial time period for ARD program is two years, if you complete the requirements early, you may be able to work with ARD personnel and your probation officer to let you out early.

Am I eligible for the Pennsylvania ARD Program?

As stated previously, you must be a first-time drunk driving offender, but not all first-timers are eligible for the ARD program. To gain entrance, the District Attorney from the county where you are being charged must recommend you for the Pennsylvania ARD program.

Some aggravating factors surrounding your drunk driving arrest could disqualify you. Did you cause serious physical injury to another party? Did you cause extreme property damage? Were there any children under the age of 14 in your vehicle at the time of your arrest? Do any victims involved in your DUI object to your admittance? If none of these apply to your situation, you stand a good chance of qualifying for the Pennsylvania ARD program.

How will the Pennsylvania ARD program benefit me?

You would not serve any jail time. Once you have successfully completed ARD, your charge would be expunged from your record. However, if you are charged with Pennsylvania drunk driving again, at a later date, you would be seen as a habitual offender and penalized accordingly.

All things considered, you should definitely consult with an experienced Pennsylvania DUI attorney. He will be very familiar with the Pennsylvania ARD program and can look at your Pennsylvania drunk driving case and determine if it would benefit you to fight your charge at trial or accept admittance into ARD.

If you win at trial and get arrested for another Pennsylvania drunk driving charge years later, you can still enter ARD because you did not do it the first time around. Your DUI attorney can help you weigh your options and advise you on your best course of action.

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If you are charged with a DUI, you may wonder what to do next. There is cause for worry. However, you have more options than you think. You should always consult with an experienced DUI lawyer, one who is local, one you can afford, and one you can communicate with. Let’s find out what to do after you get a DUI.

Hire a Lawyer
You always need an experienced lawyer. You may think you should simply accept the charges given to you. Never plead guilty to DUI charges. You want a lawyer experienced in the court room. You want a lawyer who you can work with for some amount of time. DUI charges are a long process. You may be in and out of the court room for months. However, you may be found innocent, or you may lessen the charges some.

Question Charges
You may face excessive fines, jail time, and a suspended license. This can change your life greatly. You may not be able to get to and from work without a ride. You may owe hundreds if not thousands of dollars. And you may face some excessive time in jail. You should always question these charges. Simply because you are charged with a DUI does not mean you are guilty. The breathalyzer test is not always accurate. Sometimes the officers infringe on your rights. Maybe you are never told of your rights but. In any case, you will have to fight for our rights.

Facing Charges
You have a better chance with an experienced DUI lawyer. As noted, you should question the charges. You may be found innocent. With DUI charges, you have to be at .08 or above to be charged with a DUI. If you are under age, the laws are different. What happens in court? Your lawyer will be negotiating for you. You have the option of judge or jury, but most court rooms use judges to make decisions on cases. You will be questioned on what happened, but even if you lose you have a chance in appeals court. In appeals court, if what happened in the original court case is found to be wrong, you may have a chance of being found innocent.

Moving On
Unfortunately, most DUI charges are not for first time convictions. Many of us make the mistake of being penalized for more than one DUI. The more DUI charges you get, the more penalties you get. You will face longer jail time. You will face more charges. You may lose your license for a longer period. If you get more than one DUI, you may be charged with a felony. You can move on. The best thing you can do is avoid getting that second DUI. Do whatever you can to avoid it. Call a cab. Ask a friend to help. If you are charged with further DUIs, it will be difficult to move on, but you always have a chance.

While you may think drinking and driving is a minor offense, thousands of lives are lost every year to it. By drinking and driving, you put others and yourself in danger. If you are charged with a DUI, it’s time to consult with an experienced DUI lawyer.

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The best way to stay out of DUI trouble is to avoid drinking and driving in the first place, but we are all human and do make mistakes. The second best way to avoid problems is to make your first DUI your last, because after that point you are in danger of being charged with a felony. DUI law is complex, so here is a refresher on some common mistakes made after you are charged.

DUI Charges Are Serious
Let’s face it: when you drink and drive you are a danger on the road. You are being charged with a serious crime. On the other hand, you are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. That does not mean you can look at this as a minor problem. Even a first DUI can lead to long license suspensions, fines, and jail time. The more DUI charges you get, the greater the penalties. Take these charges seriously and you stand to save yourself some problems.

Don’t Miss Your Court Date
Perhaps the greatest and most common mistake is missing your initial court date. You might as well keep driving after an officer turns on his lights. You are then breaking the law. It’s likely a search warrant will be made for you, and when you are arrested, you will face even stiffer penalties. So make your court date.

Continuing to Drive
If you drive on a suspended license, you stand to get further charges brought against you. While it’s obvious some of us have to drive, you must wait until your license is reinstated. If you are pulled over, the officer will arrest you and immediately take you to jail.

Getting a Second DUI
As noted, the problem with DUI charges is that many are not for first time offenses. Some of us make this mistake more than once. If you can avoid getting a second, third, or further DUI, you can avoid jail time, extended license suspensions, excessive fines, and lawyer fees.

Out of State DUI
If you get an out of state DUI and do not take care of it, you may have a search warrant authorized against you. They do this even for speeding tickets. You must appear in court and fight your case. While you may want to avoid the problem, face it and be done.

You Need a Lawyer
Another common mistake those charged with a  DUI make is not hiring an experienced DUI lawyer. You may consider not hiring a lawyer at all and defending yourself. You may simply hire no lawyer and plead guilty. Both are bad moves. Make no decision without the help of an experienced DUI lawyer.

Hiring a Cheap Lawyer
Another problem is that of hiring a lawyer who is ineffective, often because he or she charges a low fee. Ask yourself why they charge so little. They may have an excess of cases and have no real time to spend with you. They may lack any DUI experience. They may even lack court experience. Hire an experienced lawyer. Pay the extra money so you can avoid jail time and further penalties. You may be found innocent, and at the least you can lessen the penalties.

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