A lot of people who are arrested for a DUI wonder if they should hire a DUI lawyer. They could go with a public defender, or they could even do without legal representation at all – as incredible as that sounds – and just hope for the best. If you’re in this situation, you should definitely speak with an experienced DUI defense attorney.
The stakes are going to be very high, whether this is your first DUI or you’re facing your fourth or fifth. You want to have the most skilled representation possible to have the best chance of seeing your potential penalties reduced – or possibly even having your charge dropped entirely.
Talk to a DUI defense lawyer with Keller, Melchiorre & Walsh before you make your final decision. Our team is staffed with attorneys who have extensive experience in this area of the law, and have produced positive results for many of our clients.
These are just five of the many reasons you should hire a skilled DUI defense attorney.
1. They’ll Help Get Your License Returned
The loss of your license is one of the most serious consequences you’ll face if you’re convicted of drunk driving. This isn’t just a mere inconvenience. For many people, it could mean the loss of a job. This will be the case whether you’re charged with driving while drunk, you face a drug-related DUI, or you’re charged with boating while intoxicated.
An experienced attorney will know just how much of a negative impact a suspended license could have on your life, and will do whatever they can to challenge any suspension that you may face. While no reputable attorney will ever promise anything, there is a chance they could help get your license reinstated. The chances of you being able to do that on your own are basically zero.
2. They Know the Laws Better Than Anyone
If you’ve never been charged with a DUI, you might have no idea of how the process works. An attorney will be able to tell you exactly what to expect at every stage of your case. At Keller, Melchiorre & Walsh, our attorneys are intimately familiar with all local court systems. We know them inside and out. We know the rules of every court, and we know all of the judges – and how they think. We’ll have a strong feel for the kinds of arguments that will have the best chance for success.
Again, we can’t stress enough just how much is on the line. If you’re convicted of a DUI, you could face the loss of your teaching certificate, or you could lose the security clearance that’s required for your job. Do you really want to risk losing your means of financial support by trusting your fate to an inexperienced lawyer? Even worse, are you prepared to act as your own legal representative?
3. They Can Save You From Paying Large Fines
An effective DUI defense attorney could possibly help reduce the potential fines you may face – and they can be extremely steep. Here’s a brief look at how much you might have to pay.
- First conviction – Between $500-$1,000
- Second conviction – $1,000-$2,000
- Third conviction– $2,000-$5,000 (it could be at least $4,000, depending on whether your blood alcohol content (BAC) level was .15 or more, and whether or not there was a child in the vehicle)
- Fourth conviction– a minimum of $2,000
4. They Can Have Your Sentence Reduced
Again, any DUI defense attorney worth considering will never make promises they can’t keep. We’ve seen instances where some lawyers did just that, and their clients were crushed when they found out they either had to pay exorbitant fines or serve jail time. However, there is at least a possibility that a strong legal representative could help reduce any penalties you face.
Skilled, experienced DUI attorneys have, over the years, developed relationships with prosecuting attorneys. This could potentially work out to your benefit, since your attorney could have a better chance of negotiating a plea deal with the prosecutor.
5. An Experienced DUI Attorney May be Able to Get Your Case Dismissed
There are a lot of moving parts to a DUI arrest, and officers must follow proper procedures to the letter. If they don’t, there is a chance your defense attorney could have your charge dropped completely. These are just a few of the ways that could happen.
- You may have been stopped illegally. The only reason an officer can pull you over is if you’re breaking the law. You were either speeding, you ran a stop sign or a red light, or you were weaving in traffic. If none of those apply, then it’s very possible the officer didn’t have grounds to pull you over.
- If you took a field sobriety test, and that was the basis for your arrest, your attorney will likely work to have the results thrown out. The majority of these tests are not only outdated, but also flat-out inaccurate.
- Speaking of which, if you took a breathalyzer test, the results of that test could be inaccurate as well. In many instances, these tests indicate intoxication when the person didn’t even have any alcohol. They may have eaten a certain type of food, taken a certain kind of medication, or could have just used some mouthwash.
Contact KMW for a Case Evaluation Today
Please don’t put your future in the hands of someone who’s really not qualified to provide expert DUI defense on your behalf. Going for cheap representation – or even worse, trying to act as your own legal representative – could very well wind up being the worst decision you’ve ever made.
Let the team at Keller, Melchiorre & Walsh handle your DUI case. We know the stakes, and we know how to deliver effective representation. We’ll also be here to guide you through the process and give you the sound advice you need.
Schedule a free case review by using our online form or calling today.