DUI defense isn’t do-it-yourself.
We live in a society where, many of us are forward thinking. We have the internet, which houses endless amounts of information, all easily available with a two second Google search.
Thus, we like to think we can do and be anything if we set our minds to it.
In many cases, this is true.
Sure, you can watch a few Youtube videos and learn how to play guitar. Maybe you want to surprise your loved one with a homecooked meal that you learned how to make reading Martha Stewart’s latest blog post. Better yet, why not pretend to be a doctor and self-diagnose that small red bump on your hand as a deadly flesh eating disease?
The internet is a glorious resource and certainly can make you feel invincible. But, what it doesn’t give you is time and experience.
When you’re facing something as serious as a DUI conviction, there’s no way reading a few articles online, can teach you how to be an experienced DUI attorney. Sure, you may come up with some compelling defenses, that on the surface, may seem plausible.
However, what happens when the prosecutor finds the gaping hole in your defense and you have to quickly think on your toes? What happens if everything falls apart two days before your court appearance and you have to prepare a new defense? What happens when you crack under the pressure?
Here’s what happens: you end up convicted. You lose.
In 2015, according to the CDC:
- 1 million people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- 17% of drunk drivers who are injured in crashes are charged and convicted.
- 11% percent are charged and not convicted
- 72% are never charged
What do these statistics tell us?
A significant portion of people who face DUI convictions, don’t lose. This is because they sought legal advice and representation.
If you need more proof, here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t represent yourself in a DUI defense.
- You Are Not an Experienced Attorney
There is a vast quantity of information across the internet to help people who are facing drunk driving charges. Think of all the websites available on the internet, attempting to clarify difficult case law for laymens. It’s as if we’re encouraged to represent ourselves in such situations. This has led many people to misunderstand DUI laws and attempt to defend critical charges themselves. They study a piece of writing about how to deal with their case and think that they do not need a lawyer. Many of us like to imagine that we are intelligent enough to sift through a multitude of complicated details and case law, to do everything ourselves.
This thinking is illogical. Remember, attorneys spend many years studying the ins and outs of law. There are many who often fail to master the information sufficiently enough to even pass their exams.
A few hours studying on the internet, isn’t going to make you an attorney.
- Appointing an Attorney Can Save Money
An experienced attorney has the ability to identify flaws in the procedures of arresting officers or judicial officials. As result, many DUI cases are thrown out, long before there is a full defense made. Not to mention, DUI attorneys have a vast knowledge and expertise of DUI laws and how to find loopholes in the system. This is truly indispensable in matters of court of law.
Be mindful that as a result of a DUI arrest and charge, your professional life, societal status, financial investments, and even in some cases, personal relationships, can be severely impacted.
Even for those who aren’t facing such charges, drunk driving is a significant financial burden.
In a report from the CDC, we see the effects of drunk driving on everyday Americans:
- Drunk driving costs every U.S. adult between $500 – $800 per year and the entire U.S. $199 billion per year.
- One in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime
According to a study about social costs of impaired driving,
- In 2000, alcohol-related crashes cost U.S. citizens approximately $114.3 billion ($51.1 billion in financial costs and nearly $63.2 billion in quality of life losses)
- DUI Attorneys Understand Court Proceedings
Regardless of how smart and well-informed you are, you can ultimately commit mistakes that ruin your DUI defense.
When people attempt to defend themselves, they often find themselves in situations where they significantly miscalculated aspects of law and legal proceedings. Hearings and trials often move at a meticulous pace, to maintain flow and meet deadlines. It can be harmful to your case if a deadline is not met and/or missed.
Inexperienced people often fail to notice vital court dates or appear totally unprepared.
As per latest U.S. DUI statistics:
- In 2010, more than 4 million adults reported at least one episode of drunk driving
- In 2011, more than one million people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
- In 2014, nearly one-quarter of all drivers arrested for driving while intoxicated, were repeat offenders.
A driver with one or more DWI arrests is a greater risk than a driver with no prior DWI arrests.
- Identifying Admissible Evidence and Information
Hiring an attorney for your defense in court when encountering a DUI charge is a serious decision that you have to shouldn’t be taken lightly. People may find themselves incorrectly charged for driving under the influence.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), published statistics that stated:
- Nearly an average of 28 people in the U.S. are murdered daily in a fatal accident involving a drunk driver.
Additionally, according to the latest US DUI statistics:
- more than a million people in the United States are convicted annually for drunk driving.
There is in fact a drunk driving related fatality every hour in the United States.
The CDC also reported that approximately 16% of DUI can be credited to other drug abuse (not alcohol abuse).
Attorneys are specialists in the courtroom and they know which evidence and information is admissible or irrelevant to a case. Keep in mind that the police have to provide a valid explanation to arrest you. Legal professionals indicate that law enforcement cannot carry out a DUI investigation devoid of plausible reason. Particularly with DUI cases, evidence and witness statements are vital. Attorneys have methods and defensive measures prepared to weaken the impact of evidence and witnesses.
- Knowledge of the Strength of a Case
An average person doesn’t have the means or experience to identify the strength of a defense. However, trained attorneys can inspect a case and spot the flaws and strengths of it, as if it were second nature. There is no alternative for the expertise and understanding that comes with appointing an DUI attorney.
A case, in fact may be extremely difficult and require cerebral focus, as well as time and resources. We are not trained to spot, nor deploy such necessities. Attorneys are.
For example, California DUI laws may appear pretty simple and straightforward on the internet. However, the fact is, legal codes of California can quickly become puzzling if you apply it in a practical ground.
In such situations, you do not know the law inside and out. You have had no formal schooling, nor years of experience in a courtroom setting. If you were to go against a prosecutor who has all of these things, the chances you’d outsmart him or her are very slim. Particularly, in California where they are one of the leading states of DUI arrests and convictions in the country
Why put yourself through that level of stress? Hire an attorney to craft a strong defense for you and don’t put your future at risk.
What To Do if You Need Legal Help?
Find the attorney that is best appropriate for your needs. Ensure he or she has a reputable history and representation of success, in DUI defense.
When you meet, get a notepad to write down important things. Do you share a nice bond with him or her? Several excellent facts to inquire are:
- Experience of dealing similar type of case
- Success rate in this area
- Free arrangement process
- Experience dealing with your opponents
- Knowledge of appeal process if you lose