After a DUI
Most people don't plan for a DUI. It is a terrible experience to be pulled over, made to do field sobriety tests, and get arrested for drunk driving. You may be thinking of all the things you could have done differently to avoid a DUI arrest, but a DUI arrest is not as bad as a DUI conviction. The conviction for driving under the influence is what leads to a criminal record, jail time, fines and fees, DUI school, community service, substance abuse counseling and the loss of your driver's license. The best thing you can do right after a DUI arrest is to make sure that the arrest does not lead to a conviction.
The best way to make sure you are found not guilty, or have your charges dismissed is to contact an experienced, Atlanta DUI defense lawyer who has built their practice on defending people charged with a DUI. They have the specialized training in local DUI law, field sobriety testing, and chemical testing to fight the charges against you. With an in-depth investigation into your case, they will be able to question the police officers in order to find the weaknesses in the case against you. Any information you can offer into your arrest can help your lawyer defend you in your criminal case.
Document Your Arrest
Everything may have happened so quickly it is difficult to remember what happened at the time you were pulled over and arrested for a DUI. But any information you can remember may help your case. Try and remember, and write down, exactly what happened, what the police officer said, and what you did. You may assume the police know what they are doing when they arrest someone, but police often make mistakes. There is no reason why you should face the consequences of a DUI when the police didn't follow the rules.
Now that you have the information from the night of your arrest, it is time to contact a local DUI defense lawyer. You may want to take your time to make sure you hire someone with lots of DUI defense experience, but remember, you only have 10 days before you risk losing your license. This is an administrative process separate from your criminal charges. Without even waiting to see if the court finds you guilty, DDS will suspend your driver's license after a DUI arrest.
In order to prevent losing your driving privileges, you have to request an administrative license suspension hearing within 10 business days of your arrest. If you contact our DUI lawyer, they will be able to file the 10-day letter formally requesting the ALS hearing, and even represent you at the hearing so you can keep your license to drive. If you wait more than 10 days, there won't be another chance to fight the automatic suspension.
DUI Defense in Atlanta
Just because the police said you were intoxicated does not mean that you have to plead guilty. If you or a loved one have been arrested for driving under the influence in Atlanta, call me anytime, and I will make sure you are treated fairly by the courts and the state.