I often hear errors from clients about DUI charges. Make no mistake; a DUI charge will cost money, as well as a suspension of the driver’s license. Insurance rates will go up and and entire educational and/ or professional future could hinge on the outcome at trial. An experienced criminal defense attorney needs to handle a DUI case, to file motions, gather evidence and then examine it, investigate and question the officers that made the arrest and make sure that all the rights of the driver are protected.
An arraignment follows a DUI charge where two things occur. The Court reads the charges and then a decision needs to be made to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. A good and skillful criminal defense attorney will say that pleading not guilty is the best course of action. This will enable the attorney and the driver charged to review the evidence the prosecution may have and then be able to build a defense against the accusations.
Pleading guilty is almost always the wrong decision. Once a guilty plea is entered, a record of conviction remains. The judge only has the discretion to decide what sentence will be imposed, they don’t have the power to change the charge or make it less serious. Pleading guilty means that a chance will never be given to see if there was a legitimate defense to the charges. A good criminal defense attorney would never enter a guilty plea and then plead for lesser sentencing.
Remember, everyone is innocent until proven guilty in America. The prosecutor must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The evidence they have could be weak or invalid and there is the chance to challenge it. I am aggressive when looking for issues with the evidence and there are cases everyday where law enforcement have improperly administered the tests, illegally made a traffic search, used testing equipment that is not functioning properly, or rights were not given at the time of the stop. There are always weaknesses in the state’s case to work with and I know how to work for a favorable resolution.
The Bottom Line: Should you be charged with a DUI, calling a lawyer is the very first thing that you should do. There are very few things as scary as having your freedom on the line. All criminal cases have different factors and the state’s attorney must prove them beyond a reasonable doubt. The criminal justice system is designed for everyone to plead not guilty. Let me examine the evidence and find any errors made by law enforcement. Let me negotiate with the prosecutor. Let me defend you. Put my number in your phone and call me. 513-260-2099
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