Have you been charged with a DUI? A DUI conviction can have a significant impact on all parts of your life, including your finances, your driving privileges, and your freedom. To prevent the charges from ruining your life, you need the best criminal law firm in Marietta, Cobb County GA, to help you prepare for your DUI hearing. Working with a criminal DUI attorney can get you the best outcome and protect your legal rights. Continue reading to learn how an experienced DUI attorney will help you prepare for the hearing.

STEP ONE: ENTER YOUR PLEA

How you plead during your arraignment determines the next step in the legal process. If you are without counsel and choose to plead guilty, the sentencing process happens and you face the consequences. However, if you plead not guilty, a trial date will be set where your attorney will challenge the evidence the prosecution has pertaining to your case.

This first step sets the tone for your case and it's important that you understand the evidence against you, the consequences of your decision, and all other facts pertaining to your case before you enter your plea. Your attorney will go over your options and guide you to make a sound legal decision.

STEP TWO: THE EVENTS OF YOUR UNIQUE CASE

Your attorney needs to know what happened that led to your arrest. This information is in police reports, but your attorney wants to hear your side of the story. The more information you give us, the easier it will be to develop a credible defense.

Your attorney will want to know why you were pulled over. Officers must have a reasonable suspicion to pull over a person for DUI. If you weren't pulled over for disobeying traffic laws, there's a possibility that the police acted outside the scope of their authority. This can have a favorable and huge impact in the defense of your case. It could potentially nullify your arrest and get your case dismissed.

Attorney Thurston Lopes, your criminal defense attorney in Marietta will also want to know if there were any witnesses in the car for testimonial purposes. Additionally, if you have a medical condition that could make it hard to pass a field sobriety test whether you were under the influence or not, your attorney needs this information.

STEP 3: PREPARE YOURSELF FINANCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY FOR THE OUTCOME

Even if you're optimistic that your case won't end in a conviction, you must be prepared for the worst-case scenario. A first-time DUI offender often faces hefty fines and the suspension of their driver's license. They may also be ordered to attend a substance abuse program and perform community service. Repeat offenders could face significant jail or prison time and bigger fines. If you're convicted of DUI it's likely your insurance rates will go up. However, call The Lopes Law Firm at (404) 589-9000, and Attorney Lopes can more often than not control the damage, and you will not face a worst-case scenario or anything like it.

If you've been arrested and charged with a DUI, your first step in preparing a defense should be to find a qualified criminal defense lawyer, like Attorney Lopes of the Lopes Law Firm who has handled hundreds of DUI cases and knows what it takes to prepare your best defense. Don't try to navigate the legal process yourself. Without proper legal representation, you might say or do something that could have serious consequences. You need to hire the best Marietta, Cobb County DUI lawyer. Call The Lopes Law Firm at (404) 589-9000 to request a confidential case evaluation. You'll be glad you did.