Heading To Court To Defend Your DUI Charges
Being charged with driving under the influence (DUI) is very serious. Defendants found guilty of the charges could lose their driving privileges, go to jail, pay thousands in fines, and more. The consequences can go on and on. Being found innocent is the key to resolving your case successfully. To learn more about taking your DUI case to trial, read on.
When You Are Innocent
It's very possible to be innocent of the charges. DUI arrests can be fraught with bad evidence gathered by law enforcement. You must get a private attorney to help you with your case. A defense lawyer who practices DUI law will know what you should do. They will find out what the state has against you in terms of evidence. They will review the reports, view the camera footage, and find out how the evidence was processed. They will research the qualifications of the officers who performed the roadside sobriety tests and the calibration of the breathalyzer machines. They will also follow the chain of evidence to ensure that any biological samples were handled properly.
What About Plea Deals?
Almost everyone is offered a deal and that includes DUI defendants. However, some deals are more favorable to the state than to the defendant. Depend on your defense lawyer to know a good deal when presented with one. In many cases, the benefits of a deal will depend greatly on the evidence. If the evidence is questionable, the plea deal could be good for the defendant. However, if you are innocent of the charges, you have every right to take your case to court.
Taking It to a Jury
Once you know your court date, you and your lawyer can prepare for trial. You should know, however, that plea deals can continue to be offered even after the trial begins. The jury will be chosen and then opening statements are made by each side's lawyer.
Know where to park and leave yourself enough time to go through the metal detector. When trials are in session, the lines to enter the courthouse can be long and frustrating. Be appropriately dressed. Although it should not matter how you look, people do form impressions of you based on your appearance. Each court has rules about what you should and should not wear as well.
DUI cases tend to be short, but a lot can happen in a few hours so be ready to testify about the time of the arrest. Your lawyer will submit evidence and object to the state's evidence since most DUI cases are all about proving impairment. To learn more about your case, plea bargains, and DUI trials, speak to your criminal defense lawyer.
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