If you believe that DUI (driving under the influence) charges aren’t that big, you should think again.
In fact, if you are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Georgia, you may serve some jail time.
In the metro part of Atlanta, the average amount of time that a person arrested for DUI will spend in jail is 10 days.
However, that’s not the only consequence you may face.
As a first-time offender, you may lose your driving privileges for at least four months, but this can last for up to a year.
You will also have to pay for court costs related to the charge, complete community service and driving school, pay for the installation of an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, and more.
Because of all the potential consequences, a single DUI can cost you a lot of time and several thousand dollars.
If your drunk driving case results in a conviction, then it can result in extremely high insurance costs for several years. It will also remain on your driving record for the rest of your life.
While this is true, just because you are arrested for DUI in Atlanta, it doesn’t mean you are going to be convicted or serve time in jail.
Taking the right steps and making the right decision after you are arrested will help to increase the possibility of a lesser charge or even being acquitted.
The steps you should take to protect your rights and reduce the risk of a conviction after being charged with an Atlanta DUI can be found here.
1. Hire a Defense Attorney to Help with Your Case
Until the mid-part of the 1990s, general practice lawyers could easily handle DUI cases.
However, when forensic science was introduced to the situation, the DUI laws in the area started to shift and became much more complex.
Today, you should make sure that you hire and use the services of an experienced DUI lawyer, like our team at the Law Office of Matthew C Hines, to help with the legal process after a DUI charge.
Also, the law is constantly changing, so you need a DUI lawyer who will stay updated with these changes to ensure they can provide you with the best possible representation for your case.
2. Focus on the Desired Results
You must think about the big picture.
For example, would you rather pay a professional and experienced attorney one time or have to cover the costs of a DUI conviction via high insurance premiums, lost wages, DUI school, and license suspension reinstatement fees?
After being arrested for a DUI, one of the most important things that you can do is to avoid being convicted and not try to save money by skimping on the DUI lawyer you hire or your defense strategy.
At Hines Law, you can count on our legal team to provide you with the quality defense that you need and put all our resources and expertise into this complex legal process.
3. Be Proactive
No one wants to have to deal with all the legal situations that go along with a DUI hearing.
However, this is a necessary part of the DUI court process.
You should request this hearing at the Department of Driver’s Services.
Sometimes, they are going to get in touch with you first.
This must be done within 30 days of your arrest taking place.
If you fail to do this, you will forfeit your license before you even go to trial.
4. Don’t Base Your Legal Strategy on a Friend’s Advice
While your friends likely mean well, unless they have a legal background in DUI defense, they can’t provide you with the helpful and accurate advice you need about your situation and potential consequences.
It’s also important to realize that each DUI court case is unique, and what worked for one person may not be right for your case.
Also, what is even more important is that you should not assume that the contacts your friends have in the legal system will be able to provide you with proper legal counsel or a plea deal when facing criminal charges.
Contact Our Legal Team for Help with Your Georgia DUI Charge
If you have been arrested for DUI in Atlanta, the steps you take after the arrest to avoid hours in jail are important.
Be sure to use the tips and information here, which will help you have the best possible outcome for any future court appearances.
At Hines Law, our criminal defense attorneys have we have defended countless DUI cases and can provide you with high-quality legal defense to help you get the minimum consequences for your charges.
Once your criminal lawyer knows the situation, they can create a custom defense strategy to help you avoid jail time or a felony offense.
The first step during this stressful situation is to get in touch with our legal team to schedule a consultation with a DUI lawyer to discuss your claim.
Contact our criminal lawyers at Hines Law for more information on our legal services and to find out if we can help you with a peal deal, retain driving privileges, receive the minimum consequences or have your charges dropped altogether.