If you have been charged with driving under the influence, or DUI, you may have questions about what is going to happen or when to hire a lawyer to represent you. A lot depends on the charge and the circumstances of the charge, but most attorneys will meet with you one time for a consultation for free. This is the time to explain what happened and get the advice of an attorney about the following things.

Breathalyzer Results

If you were given a breathalyzer test, and your blood alcohol content was .09 or .10, a lawyer may advise you to fight the case. While that is over the legal limit in most states, the question of whether the field sobriety tests are conclusive can be released in court. An experienced lawyer and a low BAC could very well lead to a plea bargain and reduced charge. Discuss this with a lawyer and get an opinion as to whether this applies to your case. In some states, the charge can be reduced to what is called a "wet reckless" charge which is basically a reckless driving charge and typically does not include a license suspension or jail time. However, the fines for this charge can be quite a bit higher, and the insurance company will still raise your rates. Keep in mind that if your BAC is higher than .08, the judge can still suspend your license even with this charge.

Any Questions You Have

After your arrest, you may have questions that you just can't answer yourself. If you are not sure whether you should plead guilty or not, call a lawyer. A DUI attorney will be able to help you get the answers you need, and they know how to better navigate the system to get the details of your case. They may still advise you to plead guilty or to accept a plea bargain, but they will get your questions answered and your case resolved, one way or another.

Pleading Guilty

If you intend to plead guilty, you do not need a lawyer. The judge will accept your plea and sentence you, but if you want to have a lawyer involved, it is allowed. This is probably a good time for a public defender, but you can hire your own attorney as well. However, most lawyers would recommend using a public defender if you're pleading guilty.

For more information about DUI charges, check out http://www.jdlarsonlaw.com.

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