Do’s and Don’ts of a DUI

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DUI | Personal Injury Attorneys | MV Alaska LawIf you are charged with a DUI—Driving Under the Influence—it can include a hefty fine, impact your ability to drive, increase your insurance rates, and sometimes even mean jail time. If you are found guilty, the verdict can further affect employment options, future finances, and the ability to travel internationally.

An article in ExpertBeacon describes the dos and don’ts when charged with a DUI, which can help prepare you for the best possible outcome.

Here are the dos:

  • Always write down everything about your DUI arrest. In court, the prosecution will likely focus on three factors: how you were driving when you got pulled over, the way you looked and acted during questioning and field sobriety tests, and the actual results of your field sobriety test or breath test. It’s important to record everything you can about your arrest so that you will be better able to inform your DUI defense lawyer and defend yourself in court.
  • Remember that you are innocent until proven guilty. In a court of law, you are presumed innocent until proven otherwise: the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. According to the article, there are many valid defenses available to provide reasonable doubts as to the accuracy of the field sobriety test or chemical test.
  • Hire an experienced DUI defense lawyer. Don’t just represent yourself. You are being penalized with heavy fines, and your driving privileges and freedom are at stake: having a qualified representative to defend you can make all the difference. Lawyers who defend people charged with drunk driving have specialized knowledge of the often complex nature of DUI cases.
  • Learn the consequences of a guilty conviction. Though the penalties of a guilty verdict vary by state, a conviction can include suspension of your driving privileges, fines, jail time, or participation in an alcohol education program. Spend time with your lawyer discussing the available options for defense, outcomes. and personal consequences.

Here are some of the don’ts:

  • Do not discuss your DUI arrest with others. This could have a serious impact on your employment and future opportunities at that company. Even discussing the arrest with your loved ones can create unwanted stress in an already stressful situation.
  • Don’t talk to the police without a lawyer present. If the police approach you after an arrest and ask to speak with you, respectively decline and give them the name and phone number of your attorney.
  • Most importantly, don’t let the situation consume your life: you will make it through, no matter how daunting the charge may seem. If you have been charged with a DUI, simply act quickly and calmly, and hire a DUI lawyer.
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About Jenn Messick

I am an attorney practicing at M/V Alaska Law, an Anchorage, AK law firm helping clients all throughout Alaska navigate legal issues in divorce, family law, probate, and bankruptcy. I'm an outdoors person who enjoys hiking, skiing, hunting, spending time with family, and the beautiful scenery in Alaska. Jenn Messick's Google+ Profile

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