As anyone who has been arrested for drunk driving can attest to, a DUI charge is very serious and carries with it some grave consequences. First-time offenders may not realize that they may be facing jail time, hefty fines, and the possible revocation of their driving privileges. In many cases, those who get arrested and charged with a DUI for the first time are encouraged to avoid getting an attorney and, instead, just stroll into the courtroom and plead guilty to everything. Unfortunately, this isn’t the best advice for an inexperienced defendant. Consider the following reasons every first-time DUI defendant needs to get help from a qualified defense attorney.
1. Although some prosecutors would love all defendants to believe it, a guilty plea doesn’t have to be the first resort for a first-time DUI defendant. It is possible to fight the charge by poking holes in the prosecution’s case.
2. DUI attorneys in Tyler, TX often do this by carefully combing the police report to find discrepancies with the way the arrest transpired or the results of the breath test the defendant was given. While this type of evidence gathering and defense strategy crafting can result in a win for the defendant, many defendants will have a hard time making the law work for them without the help of a skilled attorney.
3. First-time DUI defendants need to know that there will be times where pleading guilty does turn out to be the best thing for them. However, DUI attorneys in Tyler, TX are still a must, even in these situations. This is because they’ll be able to do a much better job at negotiating a fair plea deal and making sure a defendant’s rights are upheld throughout the entire process. When it comes to working with the prosecution, an experienced DUI attorney will be able to advocate for the defendant, which is something that no other person in the legal system will be able to do for them.
For those who don’t have much experience with the legal system, going it alone in the fight to clear a DUI charge isn’t a good strategy. Instead, it’s better to seek help from someone with knowledge of local DUI law and how it really works. Contact Holmes, Moore, Waldron & Parrish P.L.L.C. for more information about how the right DUI lawyer can make all the difference in how a defendant’s case gets handled and resolved.