Facing DUI charges can be frightening for anyone, especially if you've never had any previous experience with the criminal justice system. But, you'll always be better prepared and more confident with legal representation on your side. Perhaps, you didn't immediately hire an attorney to ensure that you have legal assistance. If so, you may have already acquired a copy of the police report, handled your own arraignment, and researched and familiarized yourself with field sobriety tests. Of course, you should also have reviewed your preliminary alcohol screening (PAS), and the required breath or blood test for alcohol content. As you can see from even this small bit of information, this process can get complicated fast, and not everyone has the expertise to make sense out of all the information available.

HAVE SOMEONE WITH EXPERIENCE

Even if you've tackled the first steps, you should consult a DUI attorney to assess these initial documents and all the preliminary results and data. There could easily be something that you've missed. Additionally, it's easy to say or do something that can put yourself in a tougher legal situation.

If you have a history of previous charges, another drunk driving case can be more challenging, but even first-time offenses can also be tricky.

Although many people may recommend that you always contact a lawyer immediately, you may not know a DUI attorney to call. Since not all lawyers specialize in the same sort of cases, blindly contacting an attorney could result in having someone inexperienced on your case. It's a good idea to do a little of research into your lawyer. Do they have extensive experience in DUI cases? Could this matter cause you to lose your license for an entire year or more due to a driver's license suspension? How successful have their past cases been?

REDUCE YOUR SENTENCE

While you don't need a lawyer to plead guilty, you could certainly benefit from an experienced lawyer's ability to negotiate and get you the best plea bargain. You may receive a reduced sentence, such as reckless driving. You may also keep your ability to drive. You may not think that a plea deal is ideal, but given the evidence and any previous criminal history, it may be the best possible avenue other than deciding to fight the charges in court. So, when do you need a lawyer? Ideally, you should consider legal representation as quickly as possible, especially when you're charged with DUI. For an experienced and successful drunk driving attorney in Atlanta and Marietta, you can always call The Lopes Law Firm at (404) 589-9000 and request a consultation. We're here to help you.