Top DUI Defense Questions to Ask Your DC DUI Attorney
Dealing with a drunk driving charge is not easy, especially if this is not your first offense. DUI laws are very strict and rarely the charges can be completely dropped. Have in mind that in case of conviction, you will face consequences inside and outside of courtroom. Apart from having your driver’s license suspended and paying hefty fines, you may also experience other lasting consequences. For example, you may face a greatly increased auto insurance rate, or you may be dropped from your current policy. Your professional license can be jeopardized if you are working as a teacher, a pilot, a doctor or a law enforcement officer. Often, you will face disciplinary actions in your career or even lose your job. The only way to reduce your penalties and ensure you obtain the most positive results of the case is to hire a one of the best law offices in DC.
Have in mind that a DUI charge is not a simple open and shut case. You have rights and you should explore your every option. In order to properly present your defense, you should discuss your options with the attorney you have hired. Here are some of the most important questions you should ask.
Have in mind that a DUI charge is not a simple open and shut case. You have rights and you should explore your every option. In order to properly present your defense, you should discuss your options with the attorney you have hired. Here are some of the most important questions you should ask.
Should I Plead Guilty?
Drunk driving offenders most commonly wonder whether or not they should plead guilty to their DUI charges. There isn’t a 100% accurate answer to this question because it depends strictly on the circumstances of your cases. You should do what your lawyer tells you. In many cases, they can negotiate a plea deal. A plea bargain requires from the defendant to plead guilty to a DUI charge in return for a specific concession, such as reduced penalties.
In some cases, even if the law enforcement officer have hard evidence against you, your lawyer may be able to disprove them by convincing the jury that certain mistakes or laws have been broken by the arresting offices or that your rights have been abused. Bruckheim and Patel are aggressive criminal defense lawyers who can challenge even the hardest evidence. However, you should never try something like this on your own. Only an attorney with great negotiation skills and a lot of experience can pull out a move like that.
What Should I Say?
You have probably heard many times that the police officer tell the arrested person they have the right to remain silent. It is very wise to remain silent, because otherwise you may get yourself into an even bigger trouble. The arresting police officer will use everything you say against you, so the less you say the better. Give the arresting officer any identifying information he asks for and do a breath test, because you are legally obliged to. However, everything else should be done only after consulting with a DUI attorney.
How Important are BAC Test Results?
Many drivers think that breathalyzers tests aren’t reliable. However, they are wrong. Although the breathalyzer has a history of being wrong, it is admissible in court and is correct in 99% of cases. It is required by law in all 50 states; therefore, it wouldn’t be used if it is not reliable as you may hear. However, it is subject to human error. Your lawyer will know how to challenge your BAC test results if that is possible. Bruckheim and Patel have experience in disproving breathalyzer tests by proving that the device was faulty. Overall, these tests are considered very serious evidence in court because they are the accurate test of blood alcohol content.