subject: Why you Should Hire a DC DUI Lawyer for the Court Process [print this page] Author: Rough Venils Author: Rough Venils
A charge of DUI or driving under the influence can carry serious consequences and it is always advisable to seek the advice of a qualified DC DUI lawyer if you are facing such a charge.
Representing yourself both in court and to the DC Department of Motor Vehicles can be time consuming and stressful particularly if you are unfamiliar with the processes and legalities involved.
Hiring an experienced DC DUI lawyer will enable you to get qualified advice on your particular case, including the penalties which could be handed down, the law as it relates to charges of DUI and the legal process and procedure which will occur. A DUI lawyer will be best able to represent you both before and during the court appearance and can negotiate a lighter sentence on your behalf. Cases of DUI in Washington DC are taken very seriously and can carry very harsh penalties, so hiring an experienced lawyer to represent is often advised.
Cases of DUI will proceed with a court appearance known as an arraignment. At this hearing the defendant will be asked to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty after all charges against them have been read. Should the defendant plead guilty at this first hearing then the judge will immediately pass sentence. If they plead not guilty then a date will be set for trial. Entering into a plea bargain where the defendant pleads guilty can result in a lesser sentence being handed down.
If this is your first charge of DUI in Washington DC then you will probably be eligible for the pretrial diversion program which can result in the case being dismissed, your record cleared and your license not suspended. The program will only be applicable to those charged with a first offence, anyone who has refused to undergo the blood alcohol test, has a blood alcohol level of more than .12% or where involved or caused an accident are not eligible. The prosecutor may however dismiss the charges should the defendant plead guilty at the arraignment and commit to attending drunk driver classes.
It is important to seek the advice of an experienced DC DUI lawyer as soon as possible after you have been charged. This is particularly important for professional drivers who may loose their livelihood if their license is suspended and for those who have had multiple DUI charges before. If an accident was caused or persons injured as a result of you driving whilst under the influence then you should also seek advice as soon as possible particularly in terms of the penalties you could face.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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