Facing a DUI charge can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience. It also has the potential to completely alter a person’s life. It can have a negative impact on both the personal and professional aspects of life and bring about numerous repercussions. That being said, no one has to face an issue like this alone. Turning to an attorney for help can make a major difference in the outcome of such a charge as well as the way it affects the accused’s life moving forward.
Ensuring Clients’ Rights Are Upheld
For one, a DUI attorney has an in-depth understanding of the legal system and the laws as they apply to OWI cases. Lawyers also have extensive knowledge of potential OWI defenses. They can examine the details of each case and evaluate them from every possible angle. Along the way, they can ensure that none of their client’s rights were violated during the traffic stop, DUI testing, arrest, and other phases of the process.
If a client’s rights appear to have been ignored, an attorney can use that to his or her advantage. Lawyers may be able to challenge the evidence presented by the prosecution. That may involve questioning the accuracy of field sobriety or breathalyzer tests. Attorneys might question the legality of the traffic stop itself or even determine that law enforcement failed to inform the defendant of his or her rights during the traffic stop and arrest. Those are only a few of the possibilities.
Reducing or Dismissing Charges
Secondly, attorneys can help clients by working to have their charges reduced or dismissed. They often negotiate with prosecutors to get their clients less severe charges or penalties. That might entail reducing a charge from a DUI to a less serious offense like reckless driving. It may also involve requesting alternatives to jail time, such as community service, attending DUI school, or participating in alcohol education programs. Whether a defendant is granted reduced charges or consequences for a DUI case depends on several factors.
Retaining or Reinstating Driving Privileges
Additionally, a DUI lawyer can advocate for clients to prevent their driving privileges from being taken away. DUI convictions often result in driver’s license suspensions or revocations. That can have a significant impact on a person’s job and his or her life in general. If an attorney succeeds in preventing a client’s driving privileges from being suspended or revoked, that can help make life much simpler and more convenient after an OWI charge.
Guidance and Support
Aside from those aspects, an attorney can help clients in other ways. They provide valuable guidance for their clients. They can help them forge through complicated legal proceedings and ensure they fully understand their options. That, alone, can eliminate a great deal of the stress and confusion that comes with a DUI charge. Attorneys may also be able to offer advice for facing the many repercussions of a DUI charge or conviction beyond court.
Having Legal Representation on Hand for an OWI Charge
Though facing an OWI charge can be frightening and confusing, a DUI lawyer can help. Attorneys may be able to help minimize the consequences of OWI charges. Their extensive legal knowledge and experience and commitment to ensuring clients’ rights are upheld can certainly be valuable resources for anyone facing such a charge. Additionally, they can offer guidance on how to proceed throughout the court case and beyond.