Getting a DUI is a big deal these days. Even if it is a first-time offense, you can get your license suspended, pay a big fine, and even do jail time. This is the reason you should always enlist the help of a DUI lawyer.
Below are some of the things you should do and ask when you see your attorney.
First, you should ask if you should hold onto the documents the police gave you after your DUI arrest. In most cases, the answer is yes.
The paperwork that the police give you after the arrest can help you beat the charges. Your attorney will want you to keep the documents and tickets in a safe place and not damage them or make notes on them.
This paperwork can be important later for your lawyer to use as evidence and challenge how the arrest was conducted. As soon as you meet with your attorney, you should hand over this paperwork.
Next, you should move quickly to see your attorney after your arrest. Every case has time limits and deadlines that your attorney needs to follow to make the best defense for you.
The best thing to do after you are arrested is to gather up all of the police reports and citations and other paperwork you received during the arrest. Then call your attorney and meet with him or her.
If you act fast after you are arrested and get the attorney the information he needs, it is more likely you can beat the charges.
Also, it is very important to tell your attorney if you have been convicted of a crime in the past. Any conviction you have on your record can affect your sentence. Also, if you were convicted on drug- or alcohol-related charges, you may face a more serious sentence, so it’s essential that your attorney knows in advance. The more information your attorney has, the more likely that he or she can get you a better result.
Next, you should tell your attorney the names of everyone who saw you drinking before you were arrested. If you were in a restaurant where 20 people saw you drunk, it will be harder to beat the charges. But attorneys want to know everything that can negatively impact the case well in advance so they can prepare for it.
Another thing to tell your attorney is if you answered police questions during the stop. Even though we always hear that you should not talk to the police when you are arrested, many people cannot help themselves. It can be hard to stop talking, especially if you were drinking.
You might get nervous and feel the need to explain things to the police, and the officers will take advantage of this compulsion. The best policy is to not answer questions from the police officer if you have been drinking. But if you do, remember to tell your attorney right away.
Next, tell the attorney if you completed the sobriety tests in the field. If you took the tests, the attorney should know whether you did well on the tests. The police officer who arrested you probably has a video tape of the tests you took. Your attorney may ask for the video to see if it helps your case.
Last, tell your attorney if you have any medical problems. This is a wild card that can be very important to your case. Some conditions and medications can affect how you do on field sobriety tests.
Now that you know the things you should tell your attorney, we hope that you will be prepared if you are ever arrested for a DUI.
