subject: Do you Need a DC DUI Lawyer [print this page] Author: Rough Venils Author: Rough Venils
A charge of driving under the influence or DUI in Washington DC is considered very serious and can carry severe penalties including jail terms. If you are charged with an offence under the DUI laws then it is important to seek the professional advice of a qualified DC DUI lawyer as soon as possible.
A consultation with a DC DUI lawyer will clarify the charges against you, explain the law relating to your case and the potential penalty you could face. Many DUI lawyers offer a free first consultation from which you can then decide whether or not to hire them to represent you through the legal process.
It is important to understand how charges of DUI are determined. If you are arrested for being under suspicion of being under the influence then a blood test is normally carried out to determine the level of alcohol in your system. The result of this test is known as your blood alcohol level and for most states the legal limit is .08%. Refusing this test could result in a harsher penalty should you be charged.
Persons with prior DUI convictions, blood alcohol limits well in excess of .08% or who have caused an accident or injury could face much harsher penalties. For those charged with a first DUI offence and where no other aggravating factors exist, Washington DC operates a pretrial diversion program which upon successful completion could see your case dismissed, the return of your license and the charge cleared from your record.
Hiring a DC DUI lawyer is important for those who have been charged previously with DUI offences, whose livelihoods depend on them having a license and where serious accidents or injuries have been caused. A good lawyer will be able to advise you on the best course of action for your particular case including entering into a plea bargain where a lighter sentence can be handed down in return for pleading guilty.
If this is your first DUI offence or you do not understand the charges against you it is vital that you find a DC DUI lawyer to explain it to you. It is important for you to understand the law relating to a charge of DUI, the court process and the potential penalties you could be sentenced with. It is ill advised for anyone without a clear understanding of these to represent themselves.
A good DUI lawyer will be able to manage the legal process for you. This includes liaising with the authorities, the courts and the state motor vehicle department. They will undertake all necessary paperwork, phone calls and meetings in which you may or may not be present. When it comes to representing you at the pretrial and trial hearings, they can argue your case in court with the aim of achieving the lightest possible sentence for you.About the Author:
Mr. Venils spends his free time researching and blogging about DC DUI laws, his mentor is a prominent DC DUI lawyer .
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