when is it too late to get a lawyer for my dui

Full Answer

When should I hire a DUI lawyer?

Consider hiring a DUI lawyer when: 1 This is NOT your first DWI arrest. 2 Someone is injured or killed as a result of your DUI. 3 You believe that you're not guilty. 4 You think you can reduce your charges from DWI to reckless driving. 5 You're a commercial driver (e.g. truck driver, delivery person, bus driver, etc.).

Is it too late for me to get a lawyer?

No, it is not too late to get a lawyer. I am going to assume that your court date on September 9th is actually your first court appearance, which is usually termed as an arraignment. It is at that point the court will inform you of what you are charged with and what your plea to that charge will be, which should definitely be not guilty.

Do I need a lawyer if pulled over for a DUI?

If you are pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), your first instinct may be to ask to speak to your lawyer. However, most states do not require that the police officer give you time to consult with your attorney during the traffic stop.

When can I meet with a lawyer after a drug test?

Depending on what state you live in, you may be able to meet with a lawyer immediately (in Arizona, for example), or you may have to wait until after you take (or refuse to take) these chemical tests.

Why is it important to have an attorney at your first court appearance?

What happens if you show up in court on September 9th?

Is it too late to hire a criminal defense attorney?

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Is it ever too late to hire a lawyer?

It is never too late to hire an attorney. You can hire one right now if you want. Just go ahead and get started as much as you can.

How much does a DUI lawyer cost in Georgia?

Legal fee: Cost $2,000- $25,000. Some lawyers charge as little as $1500 for a quick plea but with so much at stake, many people accused of DUI fight the charge. That's when legal fees start to add up. Fines: Cost $300 - $5000.

What Can a DUI be reduced to in Georgia?

reckless drivingMost prosecutors are hesitant to dismiss a DUI case; therefore, the chances of a case being completely dismissed are slim. A more likely possibility is getting a first Georgia DUI reduced to reckless driving. There are great benefits to getting a Georgia DUI case reduced to reckless driving.

Do you lose your license for first DUI in Ga?

For a first DUI conviction in Georgia, your license will be confiscated by the court and surrendered to the local Department of Driver Services office. You will immediately lose your right to drive unless you are eligible by submitting to the implied consent test.

Why do you need a DUI lawyer?

Hiring a DUI lawyer might also help in having your sentence reduced, should you plead or be found guilty. For example, your attorney can set up a deal in which you'd agree to plead guilty, only because your punishment for the DUI would be reduced. Some situations in which this would be a good route to take include:

How to hire a lawyer for a DWI?

Consider hiring a DUI lawyer when: 1 This is NOT your first DWI arrest. 2 Someone is injured or killed as a result of your DUI. 3 You believe that you're not guilty. 4 You think you can reduce your charges from DWI to reckless driving. 5 You're a commercial driver (e.g. truck driver, delivery person, bus driver, etc.).

What happens if your BAC is close to the legal limit?

If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reads close to the legal limit, your DUI attorney might be able to argue that there's a possibility the Breathalyzer was incorrect and your DUI charges could be reduced to “reckless driving" .

What happens if you are not intoxicated?

If it's determined that you were not in fact intoxicated, you'll most likely be charged with reckless driving. If it's determined that you had alcohol in your system but not an illegal amount, you might be charged with a “ wet reckless " driving offense. Sentences for wet reckless driving normally do NOT require:

What happens if you get harmed by a DWI?

In the cases listed above, you will most likely serve some form of jail time, have your license suspended, and/or have to pay a hefty fine.

Can you be put on probation for a DUI?

Lengthy DUI program attendance. You will most likely be put on probation to compensate for the wet reckless charge. Despite the reduced punishments, your car insurance company will still see a wet reckless as a DUI/DWI arrest and adjust your premium accordingly.

But I have court the following week. Is it possible for someone to represent me?

Perhaps, but it varies with the type of hearing you’re having, and you’ll need to speak with a lawyer to establish to see what kind of hearing you’re having. In many cases, an original appearance in a custody case can be completed in less than one week.

I have an upcoming hearing. What can I do now?

Contact a lawyer before your hearing, which is only a week away. It can sometimes be feasible to find a lawyer on such short notice, but is that truly whatever you want? Wouldn’t you want someone who took the time to properly prepare rather than hurriedly put this all together? it is not advisable to remove it till the last minute.

Can I request a continuance?

Perhaps. A pro se individual (a person who represents himself without the assistance of a lawyer) has a better chance of obtaining a postponement than a lawyer. (A judge might think to himself, “Oh, the lawyer is already here, so why does she or he need to have a continuance?”)

When it is too late to get a lawyer after an accident (personal injury case)?

It is never too late to retain the services of a lawyer. You owe it to your family and yourself to contact a car accident lawyer who specializes in personal injury cases if you have been harmed as a consequence of somebody else’s carelessness.

What is the first step in the legal process after arrest?

Representation at Arraignment. The first step in the legal proceedings following your arrest is the arraignment. This usually takes place a few days after the arrest. During the arraignment , you will be asked to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest.

Can you delay consulting an attorney for a DUI?

It is not uncommon for individuals who have been arrested for DUI to delay consulting an attorney. While you have the option to make the initial court appearances alone and hire an attorney later, it may make finding legal counsel difficult. Attorneys require time to prepare your case to represent you properly.

Can you negotiate a case during an arraignment?

Additionally, negotiations do take place during the arraignment and having a qualified attorney may present the opportunity to have the charges reduced or dropped. Decisions that you make without the advice of an attorney can seriously affect the outcome of your case.

Should I Get a Lawyer to Challenge a Breath Test in a DUI?

Looking closely at the breath machine also, likewise, can get you a lot of mileage out of your case, as it can result in a finding that the breath machine testing results were invalid, which can exclude the breath test, the strongest evidence against you.

Should I Get a Lawyer to Plea Bargain in a DUI case?

Finally, regarding plea bargain negotiations in a DUI, you or your attorney will want to make sure to personalize you as much as possible, so that the prosecutor doesn’t just see you as just another case number.

Contact us today

Contact us – If any of this leads to additional questions, or if you’d like clarification on any of the above, please call our Orange County DUI Lawyer Robert Miller. It’s our pleasure to help in any way that I can.

What happens if you are arrested for driving under the influence?

If the officer does have reasonable suspicion that you were driving under the influence, you will be arrested and transported to the police station or a hospital for a blood, breath, or urine test. Upon arrest, the police must read you your Miranda rights, reminding you that you do not have to say anything that may be used against you.

What to do if you are pulled over by police?

If the police pull you over because they believe you are driving under the influence (DUI), you may feel like you need to ask to talk to your attorney. In the U.S., though, most states do not have a law that says you may talk to a lawyer just because you have been pulled over to be questioned by the police. Technically, you are not in police ...

What is reasonable cause for police to pull you over?

It is important to be aware of what raises reasonable cause for the police to pull you over on suspicion of driving under the influence. They may pull you over, question you and administer tests to determine intoxication if they see you doing the following: Driving erratically; Driving excessively slowly; Speeding;

What happens if you refuse a blood test?

If you refuse, the police will likely ask you to take a test to determine your level of intoxication or your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Police may also use other cues to assume intoxication, such as the dilation of your pupils.

Can you be arrested for refusing a breathalyzer test?

The breathalyzer test, or blood or urine test to determine level of intoxication may be voluntary, but, typically, you may still be arrested and charged with drunk driving for refusal to allow the test. In some cases, forced BAC tests may be done, especially if the driver under suspicion is injured and refuses a test.

Do you have to incriminate yourself when you are arrested?

You are not required to incriminate yourself in order to reply to questions posed by the police. If you are arrested, you will be able to meet with your attorney, who can advise you and help you respond to police questioning.

Is driving under the influence a criminal offense?

Driving under the influence is an extremely serious charge that can have an impact not only upon your criminal record, but upon your future ability to operate a vehicle, your future employment prospects. It can also result in jail time. It is best to work with an attorney when charged with DUI.

Why should I hire a lawyer for a DUI?

6 Reasons Why You Should Get a Lawyer for a DUI Case. A DUI charge isn’t something that you should brush off lightly. It can have dire, long-lasting consequences. For this reason, it’s important to hire an experienced DUI attorney. Driving under the influence (DUI) is illegal and dangerous.

Why is it important to have a good attorney for a DUI?

A good attorney can help minimize your penalty or sentence because when it comes to legal matters, knowledge, and experience are invaluable. Lower Court Costs.

What happens if you get convicted of a drunk driving offense?

If you’re convicted of a serious drunk driving offense, you may be asked to install an ignition interlock device for a certain period after your driving privileges get restored. Every time you take the wheel, you’ll have to blow into the device which checks whether you’re drunk or not.

What happens if you get a DUI?

Every DUI is different as are their outcomes. Some result in hefty fines, jail time, and a permanent suspension of the driving license. Others may lead to moderate fines and a temporary suspension of the offender’s driving license.

What to do if you get convicted of DUI?

He can help you obtain the right settlement quickly and efficiently. However, when you’re convicted of DUI, you must hire an attorney because so much more is at stake.

Can a DUI be removed from your record?

Depending on the details of the case and your criminal history (if any), your lawyer may be able to reduce the consequences and even get your DUI removed from the record. A DUI can seriously damage your reputation, so having it removed is a big plus.

Can you lose your driving privileges?

Losing driving privileges can seriously impact your work, social, and home life. That said, all is not lost. An experienced and reputable DUI lawyer can save the day for you by getting your charges reduced so that you can have your driving license reinstated after your case is over. Reduce Insurance Costs.

Why is it important to have an attorney at your first court appearance?

Having an attorney at your first court appearance, usually called arraignment, is important. This is when the court will establish conditions of release, like bail. These conditions are more likely to be favorable if properly argued by an adequately prepared attorney. More.

What happens if you show up in court on September 9th?

If 9 September is your trial date and you show up in court asking for more time to go look for an attorney, the court will want a very good explanation of what you have been doing the last few months to look for an attorney. If you have continued the case before, the court may even tell you that there would not be another continuance.

Is it too late to hire a criminal defense attorney?

It's rarely too late to hire a criminal defense attorney. There are a number of experienced Washington attorneys who responded to your post, and any one of them would represent you well. Talk to your parents about giving one a call asap.