Every time you get behind the wheel of your car or truck, you are taking a risk. If you do so after having a few drinks, the risk is even greater. In addition to putting your safety and the safety of others in danger, you are also gambling on whether or not you’ll be pulled over and given a Greenville DUI charge.
Driving after consuming just one alcoholic beverage can land you in hot water. You might be below the legal limit, but law enforcement can do everything it can to make your life difficult if you are suspected of DUI. The only way to ensure you do not suffer for your mistake – or a perceived mistake – is to work with an experienced Greenville DUI attorney.
Top 3 Reasons to Hire a Greenville DUI Attorney
Below, you will find three important reasons why you should hire a Greenville DUI lawyer who can help you if you are arrested for driving under the influence:
- Protect Your Rights
An attorney will ensure your rights are protected throughout the entire process. Law enforcement will go to great lengths to build a case against you if they suspect you are driving under the influence. Unfortunately, there are times when this means a driver’s rights are violated. And all too often, drivers who choose not to work with an attorney find their rights are trampled and they end up in far more trouble than they deserve.
By working with an attorney right from the very beginning, you are making sure there is someone in your corner protecting your rights. An experienced attorney understands the laws related to drinking and driving, and knows how law enforcement and the judicial system will take advantage of your ignorance. With someone in your corner devoted to protecting you, it ensures your rights will not be violated.
- Determine If the Arrest Was Legal
There are instances in which a driver is stopped and arrested for drunk driving, but if the initial traffic stop was unwarranted, there’s a chance the charges won’t stand. There are also things that might occur during the traffic stop that can result in reduced or dismissed charges.
An experienced attorney is familiar with the process law enforcement is required to follow from the time they first stop your vehicle. You and your attorney will review the details of the traffic stop, and if it is determined that any part of it violated the law, your attorney can use it to argue in your favor.
If you are stopped and accused of DUI, it is best to say as little as possible during the arrest. Pay careful attention to what is happening and make a mental note concerning the details under which you were stopped. All of this information will help your attorney build your strongest case if charges are filed against you.
- Arrange a Plea Bargain
Maybe you did get behind the wheel of your vehicle after drinking. People make mistakes and use poor judgment, but this does not mean you deserve to be punished to the fullest extent the law allows. An attorney can work to arrange a plea bargain that can reduce the penalty you face after breaking the law.
Your best bet for arranging a plea bargain and getting your charges reduced is to work with an experienced attorney. He or she can argue the evidence against you is weak, that you are a first time offender, or that your blood alcohol level was not high enough to justify a severe punishment.
Accepting a plea bargain means admitting guilt, but it is sometimes your best option when facing Greenville DUI charges. In some instances, people who drove after drinking, but who were not fall-down drunk, accept a plea bargain because it results in lower fines, reduced alcohol class requirements, and a reduced risk for jail time. The downside of accepting a plea bargain is that it means you will have a drunk driving charge on your record, which means if you are arrested in the future for drunk driving, this first instance will count against you.
It might also be possible for your attorney to argue that while you were driving recklessly, it was not due to your use of alcohol or drugs. This means it will not count against you as a drunk driving offense, so a future DUI will not result in as severe punishment.
Keep in mind that a DUI conviction carries with it severe punishments. You will face hefty fines. You might also be forced into an alcohol abuse program. There is also a very real risk for jail time, especially if you have been arrested for a Greenville DUI in the past. A drunk driving conviction can ruin your life and will stay on your record forever. You need to do all you can to improve your circumstances, even if your only option is to reduce the consequences you’ll face.
Should I Hire a Greenville DUI Attorney?
The bottom line is: no matter the specific details of your drunk driving arrest, you need a Greenville DUI attorney working to protect your rights. The most important thing you can do if you have been accused of DUI is to contact an experienced attorney. He or she will ensure your rights are not violated and will argue in favor of the least severe consequences.
By hiring an attorney, you are not committing to a plea bargain, nor are you admitting guilt. You will continue to have options even after you begin working with an attorney. An attorney can explain your options and help you determine the best possible path to follow based on the specific details of your case. Every situation is different, so you should never assume that things will work out one way or another, even if you’ve been arrested for drunk driving in the past.
If you have been arrested for a Greenville DUI and you need to speak with an experienced DUI lawyer in Greenville who understands the system, we can help. For more information, contact Bateman Law Firm to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.