When you get arrested for any of a number of criminal offenses, you run the risk of being given a bond amount that you can’t raise on your own. It is for occasions like these that you may need to find a good bail bondsman service. With their help, you can buy your momentary freedom and get the chance to start working on a defense. This could start from a level as basic as figuring out something like “is a DUI civil or criminal?” You also need to understand what an upgraded misdemeanor is, so that you can get a good idea of the possible outcomes in your case.
Depending on various circumstances, any driver involved in an accident typically has to prepare a statement, and this can act as evidence of what happened. This means that you need to know the right way to prepare one in order to get the best outcome in the end. You could end up getting an ungraded misdemeanor for any of a number of reasons, and this is something that an expert should help you understand. They’re also going to let you know what penalties for your first DUI conviction include, helping you stay informed throughout the process.
Have you been arrested for driving under the influence? Are you struggling to figure out where to start navigating fees, paperwork and the legal system at large? It’s time to hire a criminal lawyer to assist you. The field of criminal defense is a vast one in the United States and one that sees a variety of issues brought to its doorstep, with DUI and related charges some of the most common. When you need to file paperwork, gather witnesses and attend court hearings, a criminal lawyer can walk you through the process and help you reach the most reasonable conclusion possible.
What Is A DUI?
A DUI, short for ‘driving under the influence’, is a criminal offense concerning the operating of vehicles while under the influence of alcoholic substances. This definition has since been expanded to include over-the-counter medication and illegal drugs, both of which have significant impact on motor control and reaction timing.
How Common Is Drunk Driving?
Driving while under the influence of illegal drugs, medication or alcohol is one of the most common road-related offenses in the United States. Studies have shown people driving drunk almost 300,000 times collectively each year, with fewer than 4,000 being arrested and charged. The average drunk driver has driven drunk at least 80 times before their first arrest and every two minutes sees a person injured in a drunk driving crash.
What Is Distracted Driving?
A DUI lawyer not only works in drunk driving, they can also assist with distracted driving. This term involves a driver’s attention being compromised by mundane tasks, such as eating, changing the radio, texting or talking on the phone. Engaging in visual-manual subtasks associated with the use of handheld phones and other portable devices increases the risk of getting into a crash by at least three times. Studies have shown approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones at any given daylight moment across America.
What Are My Rights?
It is important to remember your rights if you are arrested for a DUI or distracted driving charge. The Fifth Amendment protects against self-incrimination, also known as the right to remain silent. The Sixth Amendment provides criminal defendants with the right to be represented by a criminal lawyer and the Eighth Amendment provides criminal defendants with the right to both bail and protection from cruel and unusual punishment. If you still have doubts, remember you can still hire a criminal lawyer to represent you throughout this ongoing process.
How Can A Criminal Lawyer Help Me?
The first step you need to take when charged with a DUI or similar offense is to contact a criminal defense attorney. A DUI conviction can cost you an upwards of $20,000, not including jail time, additional fees and community service. There are over one million lawyers currently working throughout the country, each specializing in a unique field to better help those in need — they will help you interview witnesses, gather your past history and attend court hearings. Contact your local law firm today and see how a criminal lawyer can assist you.
