Why DUI Defense Is Worthwhile

If you are facing drunk driving charges, you may feel as though it makes the most financial sense to simply pay the fine, attend the driving safety classes, and go on with your life. While you can do this, it may not be the wisest move you could make. DUI defense from a qualified attorney can save you significantly in ways you may not even realize.

The first thing you need to understand is drunk driving is a serious crime that goes on your record. While the fines and penalties for a first offense in many states are somewhat small, the fact that it is on your record makes any subsequent offenses have higher penalties, leading even to potential jail time. In addition, the offense will increase your insurance premiums – that is, if you can find an insurance provider willing to cover you. In some states, it may go on your criminal record and be shown if you should ever submit to a background check.

While the fines and penalties in most states are set in stone, a DUI defense attorney can help cast doubt on whether or not you were actually driving legally drunk. There are many technicalities that could end up getting your case dismissed. If your blood levels were drawn outside of the time frame set in the law, for example, you cannot be guilty of drunk driving.

In some states, there is a range in which your punishments will fall. Having a skilled DUI defense lawyer on your team will help you to get the lower of these penalties, which means less fines, fewer hours of community service, and fewer days of jail time. These attorneys are skilled at defending their clients against prosecutors, and understand how to handle themselves in court, which is a huge benefit over self-representation.

Another benefit of using a lawyer is the fact that you have someone who is fully knowledgeable about drunk driving laws in your state who can answer your questions throughout the process. This can keep you from making a mistake or accidentally confessing to something you did not do or do not wish to confess to simply because you don't understand the process. Most lawyers make themselves readily available to their clients throughout the drunk driving proceedings.

But what about the cost? This is the primary concern that keeps many from seeking DUI defense services from a lawyer. If you think about the fact that a lawyer could get your charges dropped completely or the penalties lowered significantly, you realize that the benefits far outweigh the costs. Most of these lawyers are able to work with their clients to set up payment plans to make representation affordable, and you might be surprised at how little it costs in comparison to what you think. Before you go to court for drunk driving offenses, take the time to look into hiring an attorney. Remember, your money, time, and record are at stake. Do you really want to represent yourself?