Why You Should Always Have a Lawyer
At the Law Office of Mark Blair, I understand how important your DUI case is and how potentially severe the consequences are that you face. I strongly recommend that you do not plead guilty to the charges until you have spoken with an experienced DUI attorney. For more than 23 years, I have helped thousands of people get the best possible outcome for their case.
Here are the most important reasons you should hire an experienced DUI attorney to represent you:
DUI charges are complex
First, DUI cases can be extremely complex. They involve both DMV hearings and criminal charges, which means two different standards of proof and two different sets of rules of evidence. Make no mistake, DUI charges can have life-long consequences.
Prosecutors typically file two charges against a driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs:
- The driver was impaired; and
- The driver had a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher
As your attorney, I will review the specific circumstances of your case to rebut these two charges. For more information, please see How to Get the Best Outcome and How to Find Flaws in the Police Report.
DUI charges carry significant consequences
The second reason it is important to hire an attorney is because a mere DUI arrest carries significant consequences. An experienced DUI defense attorney understands how the law applies to your case and what options may be available to you.
The arresting officer typically confiscates your license and replaces it with a temporary one that expires in 30 days. Within 10 calendar days of the arrest, you or your attorney must schedule a DMV hearing or your license will be suspended. There are many tactical considerations about the kind of hearing that you should have. The hearings may be either in person or by telephone. DMV hearings are different from criminal trials. You have less procedural protections and the DMV hearing officer has a lower level of proof to meet to suspend your license.
The consequences of a DUI conviction are severe
The third reason you should always have a lawyer to represent you is because convictions for DUIs carry significant consequences. Penalties include loss of license, jail, fines, and mandatory attendance at alcohol programs.
Your case is unique
Lastly, your case is unique. The specific facts of your case may subject you to greater fines and jail time. Other factors, including excessive speeding, reckless endangerment, or a blood alcohol level over .15%, also may increase the penalties you face.
Given the myriad of consequences for driving under the influence, any prudent person should hire an experienced DUI attorney to defend against their charges. DUI law is complex and always changing. Just because your friend got a certain result, it doesn’t mean you will get the same result. The consequences are too great to leave your future to chance.
Please contact me today to schedule a free consultation about your DUI defense needs. I provide high quality representation to people in Oakland, Walnut Creek and the entire east San Francisco Bay area.
To learn more about DUI law in general, please visit my DUI Practice Center.