First Steps to Take After Getting a DUI

A common question that nearly all people who are accused of a DUI are quick to wonder is “what do I need to do now?”. What should be the first steps that you should take to handle the situation appropriately? Of course you need to pay your bail if you were fortunate enough to be able to be released from jail on bond.

1. One of the first steps of high priority is to research local attorneys whom are experienced in defending clients who have been accused of driving under the influence. It is always important to find an attorney who knows the DUI laws well, knows how to analyze a case for weaknesses in the police report, and has a high rate of success for defending their clients to have the charges dropped.

2. Another step of high priority is to pay to have your vehicle removed from the impound that it was towed to after your arrest. Many DUI recipients find their self in shock after they become aware of the serious charges that they face and usually leave their vehicle at the impound for too long, which causes the cost to multiply outrageously. As you have been arrested for a DUI, your license will likely be suspended, so you need to find a friend or family member who is willing to drive you around until you receive a temporary drivers license from the motor vehicle division.

3. It is also important for you to write about the entire situation that lead to the arrest while it is fresh in your mind so you can recall the situation perfectly when you need to access the information in the future.

It can’t be emphasized enough that you need to hire an attorney as soon as you can when you get a DUI. An attorney who is experienced and properly trained in the skill of defending DUI cases can help reduce charges and jail time. If your defense case is handled properly, you may even be able to have all charges dropped completely. Make sure you don’t procrastinate from hiring a DUI attorney if you have been arrested for a DUI.

Every year hundreds of people die due to drunken driving. In some cases, as a driver you may be hurt, or in others you may have hurt a fellow passenger who was simply going home after a long day’s work. Innocent lives are lost due to one’s irresponsibility and may be just due to an occasional indulgence. It is good to be in grip of the situation rather than let alcohol get a grip over you.

Getting arrested for DUI

If you are pulled over for drunken driving by a law enforcement officer it is assumed that you are in no state to drive without causing danger to the life of others. A breathalyzer test indicates the level of alcohol in your blood. If the BAC is above the permissible limit you may be arrested on the grounds of drunken driving, even though you may be sane enough to talk to the officer. It is true that sanity is not always about nearly being able to control oneself, rather giving in to a substance that can cause more harm than help. Once arrested for drunken driving and if so proved, you could be penalized depending on the degree of drunkenness. Penalty could be in any form, from incarceration and rehabilitation to cash penalty. In addition to all of these, it may also be the cause of embarrassment and may question your standing in society.

What about drinking in public?

Typically referred to as public intoxication, it is also rather harmful as you may be offending the general public by your stance and behavior. Imagine yourself at your local shopping center with family and you see a young fellow indulging in alcohol. The feeling of not being safe immediately engulfs you and you would want to move away from the situation. With that said, drinking in public is not prohibited (i.e. bars, nightclubs, concerts, etc.), unless it is in open areas where your behavior could be a cause of concern to others, like the grocery store parking lot.

If you have made a mistake, it is never too late to make amends. Once you are pulled over by a law enforcement officer, it helps to cooperate and not be confrontational. Often good behavior and honesty helps the officers to deal with you with patience rather than get aggressive for having committed a crime. It could help save the situation. Also, if you enjoy a drink, it best be done in the privacy of your home or premises, rather than do so outside and be considered a threat in general.

Many states do not differentiate between the terms DUI and DWI because they are considered to be the same offense. While other states put them into their own categories of being impaired, which come with different punishments. The term DUI means “driving under the influence,” while DWI means “driving while intoxicated.” Yes, they do indeed seem to have the same meaning, but there are a few differences between the two depending on which state you live in.

In some states a DUI is a serious offense in which the convicted person was driving while they were legitimately drunk with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or greater. This may be considered the most severe offense, which is often accompanied by large fines, drivers license suspension, alcohol rehabilitation, and time in jail. You may face DWI charges for a plethora of reasons. Generally a DWI involves someone getting busted for driving under the influence of illegal drugs. The reasons for receiving a DUI don’t end there.

Many people take prescription medications on a daily basis, and drive just like everyone else. They may feel a bit under the weather, but drive because they need to get to work, school, or anywhere else. DUI’s also affect people whom are driving while they are: tired, emotional, sick (taking cold/allergy medications), illegal drugs, or are found to be impaired by alcohol consumption despite being under the legal blood alcohol content limit.

It is important to quickly hire an attorney if you are facing DUI or DWI charges. An attorney which is experienced in dealing with DUI and DWI cases may be able to greatly reduce punishment and charges.