The Importance of Hiring a Quality DUI Defense Attorney

A DUI defense attorney is a legal professional who has been trained and has specialized knowledge of drunk driving laws. Their clients may be facing serious consequences such as jail time and fines.

These professionals can help clients understand their charges and determine a legal strategy for the case. A good DUI lawyer can also minimize the impact of a conviction on their clients’ personal and professional lives.

Experience

When a person is arrested for drunk driving, it can lead to serious consequences. These include jail time, fines, loss of driving privileges and a criminal record. A knowledgeable New York DUI lawyer understands the complexity of defending against these charges.

A skilled attorney can challenge the results of blood, breath and urine tests to prove that you were not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He or she can also examine the circumstances of your arrest to determine whether there are any legal challenges that could be used to your advantage.

Drunk driving cases typically fall into three categories – misdemeanors, felonies and “wobblers” (those offenses that can be charged as either). A skilled New York DUI defense attorney will evaluate each case to see how it is likely to be charged. He or she will begin considering pretrial challenges immediately upon reviewing a client’s case. This can include requesting a pretrial hearing at the defendant’s arraignment.

Expertise

A DUI conviction can have a lasting impact on your future employment opportunities and credit. It is essential to hire a qualified lawyer who will defend you from day one of your case. The best way to find an attorney is by getting personal recommendations from friends or colleagues who have been in similar situations. This will give you some idea of how the attorney will perform in your case and whether they charge reasonable fees.

A good DUI defense attorney will be able to analyze the evidence in your case and tell you whether it is worthwhile to take it to trial or if they recommend accepting a plea bargain. They can also help you get your DUI conviction expunged, which will lessen its negative effects on your life.

Ensure that the attorney you choose has board certification in DUI defense law. This indicates that they are committed to maintaining a high level of expertise in this specialized area of the law.

Sentence bargaining skills

A skilled DUI defense attorney will know how to approach each case with the correct arguments. The value an attorney brings to a DUI case is not just in knowing these arguments, but in having the ability to apply them to the facts of each individual case. Additionally, a talented DUI / DWI lawyer will be familiar with district attorneys and judges, and have a good understanding of their tendencies.

There are several types of plea bargains that can be agreed upon with prosecutors. These include charge bargaining, count bargaining, and sentence bargaining. In charge bargaining, the defendant will plead guilty to a less serious crime than that of which they were originally charged. For example, a defendant may be charged with murder but will agree to plead to vehicular manslaughter in exchange for an assurance that they won’t face the death penalty. Other forms of plea bargaining are fact bargaining and stipulation bargaining. In these situations, the defendant will plead guilty but the prosecution will stipulate certain facts about the case, such as their blood alcohol content.

Courtroom skills

A DUI conviction can have serious, life-altering consequences. A quality DUI lawyer spends their days defending people who face such consequences, helping them get back on their feet and move on with their lives without the burden of a criminal record or expensive fines.

A good DUI attorney is comfortable arguing a client’s case in court, both to prosecutors and judges. They know that there are certain deadlines that must be met, as well as the ability to gather evidence and pore over police reports to find holes in the prosecution’s case.

A quality DUI defense attorney is also an effective communicator. They’re able to connect with clients from a place of empathy, while remaining focused on prioritizing the case in the long term. They’re also able to whittle down standard offers during plea bargaining by pointing out weaknesses in the case or mitigating factors that would appeal to a prosecutor. This can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case.