Regardless of your guilt or innocence, it is never a pleasing prospect to be arrested for DUI. As the laws around the country continue to get tougher, it is more important than ever to understand your legal rights in such a situation.
A DUI charge is extremely serious. It can negatively impact your employment options, jeopardize your relationship with your family, and hamper your finances. This is just the beginning. You need to get legal help right away to help you get through the process. Here are two reasons why you need to consult a DUI lawyer in Ponte Vedra, FL, immediately following an arrest.
Help at Your Arraignment
Not long after your DUI arrest, you will appear before a judge. This is an important hearing, so you will want a lawyer present. It is your lawyer who can work to get you released pending trial if at all possible. Your attorney will also be able to guide you about how to answer the questions that are posed to you.
Sentence Negotiations
Being convicted of a DUI does not have to be the end of the world. There is usually some flexibility in terms of sentencing guidelines, depending on whether this is your first offense and how severe the charge is. Your DUI lawyer in Ponte Vedra may be able to negotiate a lesser sentence on your behalf.
Depending on your situation, these are just two of the many ways that your DUI lawyer can assist you. It is important to get professional legal counsel from the very beginning. You have rights that need to be protected. Without a lawyer, you might answer a question or behave in a way that is detrimental to your case. You can avoid such a situation by retaining legal counsel and then resting easy that you have a professional working on your DUI case.
