Have you just been arrested for drunk driving? Arranging for transport, prioritizing your court date, and deciding whether you will need an attorney are some of the few things that you will have to do.
1. Arrange for Transport
Most jails make people who get charged with DUIs stay overnight – until they sober up, while others make the convicted person stay until bail is paid. Regardless, you will need someone to pick you. Your license would be suspended. There is no way you’ll be able to drive. Use the telephone in the jail to make your call. You can ask for change if you don’t have any on you.
2. Prioritize Your Court Date
Before you are let out of jail, you will be given a notice with a court date. Although you might not go to prison because you are a first-time offender, and didn’t get into an accident, not showing up to court can get you in trouble. Don’t lose the notice that you were given, as you probably won’t be given another one.
Mark your calendar and contact where you work so you will be free on that day.
3. Decide Whether You Need An Attorney
As mentioned, if you are a first time offender, you probably won’t be in much trouble. You will only have your license suspended and pay a fine. Hiring a lawyer may not be necessary.
Also, most DUI cases are straightforward. You are only arrested if you were tested and your blood alcohol levels were high. Proving that these levels were not as high can be hard.
There are some special cases where you would need an attorney, though. For example, you may be charged with your second or third DUI, so you could face decades in prison. This is also true if you’re being charged for the first time, but injured. You can check out the dui website for further understanding.
When charged with vehicular manslaughter, you will need to look for an attorney that specializes in criminal & DUI cases. Depending on you live, they might not be in abundance. Criminal & DUI lawyers in Brampton are thankfully freely available. If you are looking for a criminal lawyer in Barrie, there are plenty.
4. Prepare For Life Being Different
A drunk driving charge can affect your life in many ways. Unfortunately, you might find it hard to get a job with it on your record. Employers check job applicants’ backgrounds. They will be worried when they see that you were arrested for driving under the influence.
Also, your car insurance rates would rise. Your premium will go up by 80% minimum.
Of course, you won’t be able to drive too. Your license would be suspended for up to a year. Once you are allowed behind the wheel, you will need a breathalyzer to turn your ignition on.
5. Prepare For Court
Most people plead guilty to drunk driving charges. As mentioned, it is hard to prove that the blood-alcohol machine was wrong. However, you should prepare and build a case depending on how you are going to plead. You will have to collect witnesses too. Do your prep work.
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