6 Helpful Steps To Take When You’ve Been Charged With A DUI In Houston
Part 1
Your life can be significantly impacted by a DUI arrest and charge. Your license may be suspended, and it could even be revoked entirely. You might be responsible for fines, court costs, and additional penalties. You may be sentenced to jail time. You could lose your current job or become less employable. These consequences are serious, which is why you shouldn’t underestimate the damage a DUI charge can cause. If you’ve been charged with a DUI, you’ll want to take these six steps.
1. Seek Out A Ride Home
In certain counties, you can immediately be released from jail following your DUI charge. However, you will need to call someone to cover your bail and pick you up. In other areas, you’ll be required to spend the night in jail until you have time to sober up. No matter what the case is for you, you’ll want to make sure you seek out someone that can begin your home. It’s likely that your license is going to be suspended. If you try to drive yourself home, you could wind up facing an additional charge.
2. Make Your Court Date A Top Priority
When you’re released from jail, you’ll receive a notice that informs you of your DUI court date. It’s crucial that you remember this date. In fact, as soon as you arrive home, you should mark the date and time on your calendar. Take the day off from work if necessary. If you have appointments on the same day, you’ll want to reschedule or cancel them.
3. Decide If You Should Hire A Lawyer
You may have heard that it’s always necessary to work with a lawyer when you’re facing DUI charges. However, that isn’t always true. In many cases, your BAC (blood-alcohol content) alone is enough for a conviction. DUI laws are stricter than ever. This means that it can be very difficult to avoid a conviction once you’ve been charged.
With that said, there are some situations where working with a lawyer could benefit you. As an example, if you are pleading not guilty, you’ll want to have the representation of a lawyer. Did you fail a field sobriety test even though you weren’t drinking? Do you suspect that the breathalyzer test you took was faulty? If you’re in a position like this, you’ll want to work with a lawyer that can establish that you are innocent.
Beyond that, a lawyer can provide you with support and guidance throughout your trial. An attorney can help you even if you do plan on being guilty. Working with a lawyer can help you to get your license back as swiftly as possible, allowing you to resume your normal life.
Look at the unique circumstances of your case and decide whether hiring a DUI lawyer would benefit you. If you think it’s the right course of action, you’ll want to reach out to an attorney sooner rather than later.
Reach out to Jim Butler today by calling (713) 236-8744. Schedule a free consultation so that you can learn more! Visit our blog for more related articles. Click here for the second article in this series.
