Things To Look For When Hiring DUI Lawyer In Houston
Part 1
Regardless of the state you are in, driving under the influence is classified as a crime, however, not all will result in a conviction. The first step to take towards minimizing the risk of jail time, extortionate fines, and a DUI on your record, is to hire a DUI lawyer.
Do not fall into the trap of hiring just any lawyer. If you have been arrested for driving under the influence, we are going to highlight five things that you should try to identify before you hire a lawyer to take your case.
Is It Necessary To Hire A Houston DUI Attorney?
In Texas, driving under the influence is viewed as a serious crime.
If you have a blood-alcohol level of over 0.08% you are driving illegally. For underage drivers, the limit drops down to 0.02%. For drivers who hold a commercial license, the limit sits at .04%. There are cases where a DUI can be received even when the BAC level (blood alcohol level) is lower than the legal limits.
Some of the potential penalties include your license being suspended, an ignition interlock device being fitted in your vehicle, or attending a course on drug and alcohol safety. Two of the most significant penalties are jail time and large fines.
SCHEDULE OF FINES
The list below shows fines that the State imposes for a person who is convicted of a DUI where their BAC is .08% or lower.
- Initial offense: $400
- Second offense: Between $2000 and $5000
- Third offense: Between $3800 and $6300
- Fourth(+) offense: Amount determined by the court, not exceeding $10,000
As the BAC increases the fine also increases, as well as if the person has a CDL.
JAIL TIMES
It isn’t just your bank balance that gets stung if you are caught driving under the influence in Houston. For repeat offenders jail time is part of the conviction.
- First offense: Fine/imprisonment between 48 hours and 30 days
- Second offense: Imprisonment between 5 days and 1 year
- Third offense: Imprisonment between 60 days and 3 years
- Fourth(+) offense: Imprisonment between 1 year and 5 years
It is obvious why you need to hire a DUI lawyer. They may be able to have your charges dismissed or at least reduced.
Here is what to consider when hiring a DUI attorney:
1. Choose A Local Attorney
There are lawyers that boast a nationwide service but they may not understand the laws of each state well. They are also unlikely to hold a good relationship with the local prosecutors and judges. This may mean they will end up convincing you to a guilty please before the case gets started.
If you do want to fight the charges, will they be available to be with you in court? Are they in the know about what the prosecution plans to push for in terms of penalties? Do you know what the DUI conviction rate is for the judge?
Give Jim a call today and let him give you a free consultation so that you can get the help that you need. You can contact Jim for your free consultation! Click here for the second article in this series.