DUI Lawyers & DUI Attorneys for your Drunk Driving Defense

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The DUI DWI Lawyer and Drunk Driving Criminal Defense Attorney Directory lists criminal defense lawyers and attorneys in all 50 states. All DUI lawyers and drunk driving attorneys specialize in DUI Drunk Driving and motoring law.

Do I need a DUI Lawyer or Drunk Driving Attorney?

This question is asked a lot from people who have been charged with drunk driving. It is advised that all defendants facing a drunk driving charge or other criminal offense be represented by an experienced criminal defense attorney at court, one who specializes in their states drunk driving laws is recommended. Not only is it recommended that a defendant hire a DUI lawyer, it is almost vital if a defendant is facing time in prison or jail which is often the case, even for first time offences.

So what are a drunk driving defendants options?

A defendant who has been charged with drunk driving has three options:

1. They can hire a private DUI lawyer / drunk driving defense attorney
   
   
2. They can ask the court to appoint a lawyer at the governments expense (a public defender)
   
   
3. They can represent and prepare a DUI defense for themselves: aka self-representation

HIRING A PRIVATE DUI LAWYER / DRUNK DRIVING ATTORNEY

All defendants have a Sixth Amendment right to be represent by a criminal defense lawyer or attorney of their choice.

Hiring a private DUI lawyer / drunk driving offense attorney is a good choice if finances permit. This is because private attorneys more often than not specialize in only specific areas of law, such as drunk driving laws. This often means that these lawyers practice defending clients charged with drunk driving on a daily basis and know the laws, technicalities and any legal loopholes inside and out. They are experts in their field and specialize in specific areas of law only.

How do I find and hire a private drunk driving attorney?

DUI lawyers and drunk driving attorneys specializing in drunk driving laws can be found on a state and city basis in our DUI lawyers & attorneys directory.

It is recommended that defendants speak to at least two DUI lawyers before they make a decision about which one to hire & represent them in court.

Many lawyers provide free legal consultations to potential clients for no charge. This could be either over the telephone or in person. A personal consultation with a DUI lawyer is a good way for a defendant to asses the lawyers suitability, a good attorney-client relationship is vital to many successful drunk driving defenses.

COURT APPOINTED DUI LAWYERS / DRUNK DRIVING ATTORNEYS

Court appointed defense attorneys are also known as PUBLIC DEFENDERS

A defendant who feels they cannot afford to hire a private drunk driving attorney may ask the court to appoint a lawyer at the governments expense. Defendants who wish to do this must provide details of their financial eligibility (under oath), in order to be classed as legally indigent and must be facing a jail or prison sentence.

In some cases, judges may order an audit on the accuracy of a defendants supplied financial details and defendants who make false claims are liable to be prosecuted for perjury.

Each state and sometimes even each county have different qualifying criteria that defendants must meet in order to be eligible for a government funded court appointed attorney.

It is ultimately up to the judge whether or not a defendant is eligible for a free lawyer and legal representation.

Court appointed public defenders do not specialize in any one area of law, unlike private attorneys. Public defenders often have very high caseloads making their resources and time for individual cases very limited.

DUI DRUNK DRIVING COURT CASES - SELF REPRESENTATION

While a judge can determine that a defendant is competent enough to represent themselves in a court of law, and if that defendant gives up the right to an attorney and understands court proceedings and wishes to represent himself, he may do so.

Defendants charged with DUI drunk driving are advised to find out the what the likely consequences & punishments upon conviction are in their state, before they make a decision as to whether or not to represent themselves.

It is strongly advised that where any of the following factors exist, defendants DO NOT represent themselves:

• Possible jail sentence upon conviction
  
  
• The defendant is pleading not guilty and the case will go to trial
  
  
• The defendant has prior criminal convictions (especially for drunk driving) as punishments will be more severe
  
  
• A defendant has been charged with DUI drunk driving and there are one or more DUI aggravating factors present

DUI drunk driving law is a very complex area and most defendants will simply not be competent enough and knowledgeable enough to successfully represent themselves in a court of law, unless the charge is a minor one with no possibility of a prison or jail sentence.

What are the benefits of hiring a specialist DUI lawyer?

A specialist DUI lawyer is almost always a good investment.  The laws surrounding DUI DWI Drunk Driving are complex and the consequences, penalties, punishments, fines and fee's are often severe.  Many people end up serving a time in jail or prison as a result of a drunk driving charge.  A skilled drunk driving attorney specializing in DUI law will carefully scrutinize all legal issues surrounding a DUI case and may be able to get charges brought against a driver reduced or dropped altogether saving their drivers license. 

Other benefits of hiring a DUI lawyer includes:

• Their ability to negotiate deals with prosecutors in a bid to reduce charges and secure less severe sentences
  
  
• Their ability to offer defendants an objective and knowledgeable perspective on their case and situation and predict what the likely sentence will be upon conviction (this is vital when defendants are faced with the opportunity of a DUI plea bargain)
  
  
• Their familiarity with important legal rules, constitutions and state legislature
  
  
• Their familiarity and knowledge of the criminal court procedures
  
  
• Their ability and knowledge in performing legal research, gathering and examining evidence and talking to prosecution witnesses

Do you have Multiple drunk driving convictions?

First DUI DWI Drunk Driving Criminal Offense?

Consider hiring a drunk driving attorney or using a public defender

If this is your first DUI drunk driving offense and no aggravating factors are present, you may be able to get by and achieve the best possible outcome without hiring a criminal defense attorney specializing in drunk driving laws. However we recommend you have a FREE consultation & case evaluation with a local DUI lawyer in your city.

If any aggravating factors are present in your DUI case then consequences, penalties, punishments and fines will be increased to reflect this.  While it may cost you money to hire a skilled lawyer specializing in drunk driving law, it may cost you a lot more in fines, time off work and the inconvenience and cost that comes with surviving without your drivers license over a lengthy period of time.

Whatever your situation, if you are charged with a DUI DWI drunk driving offense you should always research your states DUI DWI drunk driving laws, consequences, penalties, punishments and fines in order to make an informed and educated decision.  It may cost you more in the long run if you don't hire a skilled DUI lawyer to represent you at court.

Repeat DUI DWI Drunk Driving Criminal Offense's?

Seriously consider hiring a drunk driving attorney or using a public defender

If you have one or more prior DUI / drunk driving charges then you will be classed as a repeat offender and the consequences, punishments, penalties, fines and possible jail time will be significantly increased to reflect this status.  If you are in this situation then you seriously need to consider hiring a skilled DUI lawyer specializing in DUI laws to represent you at court. 

A skilled criminal defense DUI lawyer who specializes in the DUI DWI Drunk Driving laws in your state can make a huge difference in the outcome of your court case and the severity of the punishment that you receive.  The money it costs to hire a skilled DUI attorney could save you at least double the amount you would eventually have to pay towards fines, fee's and other costs associated with a DUI conviction.  This is especially true if aggravating factors are present.

Multiple DUI DWI Drunk Driving Criminal Offense's?

Definitely hire a drunk driving attorney or using a public defender

If you have several prior DUI's / criminal offense's then it is definitely in your best interests to hire a skilled DUI lawyer specializing in the DUI DWI drunk driving laws of your state.  You are almost certainly facing a lengthy jail sentence, a lengthy (or permanent) drivers license suspension/revocation and a hefty fine.  A skilled criminal defense DUI attorney can  make a big difference in the severity of the sentence you receive in this situation.  If you are a repeat offender with several DUI's then it is not a question of can you afford to hire a skilled DUI lawyer, it is a question of can you afford not to hire a skilled DUI lawyer?

Drunk Driving - Aggravating factors

Aggravating factors in a DUI DWI drunk driving case are common and will increase the severity of any sentence imposed by increasing fines, length of jail time/imprisonment and length of drivers license suspension/revocation. If one of more of the following aggravating factors are present in your DUI case then you should instruct a specialist DUI lawyer as soon as possible.

Aggravating factors in a DUI case include:

• Prior DUI's: If a person has any prior convictions for DUI DWI Drunk Driving, this will be classed as an aggravating factor.
  
  
• High BAC (Blood Alcohol Content): If, after a chemical test, a persons BAC level is significantly higher than the prescribed legal per se limit of 0.08% this can be classed as an aggravating factor.
  
  
• Minor in vehicle: If a person is caught driving while over the prescribed legal limit with a minor in the vehicle, this will be classed as an aggravating factor.
  
  
• Involved in an accident: If a person is involved in a road traffic accident while driving over the legal prescribed, this will be classed as an aggravating factor.
  
  
• Serious injury or fatality: If a person is involved in an accident that results in serious injury or a fatality, this will be classed as an aggravating factor. Depending on state laws and circumstances a person may be charged with: aggravated assault, manslaughter or homicide (murder) in addition to DUI.

What is classed as a high BAC (blood alcohol content) and the age at which a person is no longer classed as a minor can vary from state to state.

There is usually two cases that arise when a person has been charged with DUI, firstly there is the administrative case (administrative hearing) with the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) or relevant drivers license issuing department.   A driver will have a certain amount of time depending on which state they reside in to request an administrative hearing in a bid to save their drivers license before it is automatically suspended/revoked.  The administrative hearing will usually deal with the length of time a persons drivers license will be suspended/revoked, although several states have criminal court cases only, in which case any drivers license suspension/revocation will be handed down here. 

Secondly there is the criminal court case, any punishment received in the criminal court case will be in addition to any penalty received in an administrative court case.  Penalties resulting from a criminal court case for DUI include: fines, treatment orders, community service, probation, house arrest, jail/imprisonment.  Sometimes a drivers license suspension/revocation will be imposed in a criminal court in addition to the suspension/revocation received in the administrative case.

With all the complexities involved in many DUI cases it is a good idea to consult with a DUI lawyer in order to find out exactly where you stand in a legal sense and to find out exactly what punishment, penalty, fines and fees you can expect to receive.  Even if you do not intend to hire an attorney to represent you at court, an initial consultation will help put your mind at ease by ensuring you know exactly what you are up against, it may even reveal a possible defense to your DUI charge that you were unaware of that could lead to charges against you being dropped.  Many DUI lawyers will offer an initial consultation free of charge.

Specialist DUI lawyers will know a particular states DUI laws inside and out and will be up to date with any recent changes in legislation.  They will have been through the DUI process countless times beforehand and will know the ins and outs of every possible defense, legal technicality and every piece of legislature concerning DUI law.

Can you afford a DUI lawyer?

Money is always a deciding factor in the decision as to whether or not to hire a specialist DUI lawyer.  In a minority of cases the cost may outweigh the benefits, in the majority of cases the cost is justified and will be a small price to pay in the long run.  Many people may think that they cannot afford to hire a DUI lawyer, however, many DUI lawyers will take your financial circumstances into account and work with you to come to some kind of mutual financial agreement.  They may be in a position to offer you credit and work out a payment plan and/or offer you a discount.

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Many DUI lawyers and DUI criminal defense attorneys listed in the DUI lawyers directory are members of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as well as certified in administering the standardized field sobriety test and intoxilyzer breath test. They are all highly specialized in DUI drunk driving laws and provide expert legal guidance and defense.