If you have been arrested for a DUI, chances are you are undoubtedly stressed, worried, and trying to figure out what your next and best move should be. The first few days after your arrest are critical, and you must take the proper steps in order to ensure the best outcome. Every case has its own specific circumstances and complexities but there are a few things that you should try to avoid during the first 48 hours after your arrest.
- Do Not Panic – this is easier said than done, but panicking about the situation will only make matters worse. You need to put the events of your arrest in perspective and understand that there is a process that you will have to go through. From the actual time of the initial arrest up through your final day in court, there are going to be mental, emotional and physical stages that you will go through.
You may feel all sorts of conflicting emotions regarding your arrest, which is normal. You may be angry at yourself, worried about what will happen next, or how you will beat your charges. The first thing you should be doing is focusing on the fact that regardless of your arrest, you are innocent until proven guilty until the day you are sentenced in court.
If you were placed into custody as a result of the suspected DUI, you will either be released on your own recognisance or you will have to be bailed out. This all depends on the state in which you were arrested, if you have a prior criminal record, and the circumstances surrounding the arrest. Panicking will not help you or your case so you need to do everything that you can to remain calm and collected. - Do Not Hesitate To Get A Qualified DUI Attorney – many people who are first-time offenders with no prior criminal history other than a rogue parking ticket sometimes make this mistake. Who you are doesn’t matter when you are facing a DUI, DWI or other impaired-driving charge. Even if you are considered an otherwise upstanding member of your local community, you are not going to get any preferential treatment.
Some people make the mistake of not seeking legal counsel at all. Regardless of who you are, where you are from, and where the arrest took place, you shouldn’t put off hiring a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles You will need a qualified lawyer to explain the legalese surrounding handling a DUI or DWI case and to help make sense of it all to you.
You will also need to divulge all the details of the incident to your attorney so that he or she has all the facts available to provide you with the best possible defense. Remember, there is a lot at stake and you don’t want to make the mistake of not getting a qualified attorney who specializes in DUI law. - Do Not Admit to Wrongdoing – no matter how much pressure you may be feeling at the time of your arrest, you do not have to admit any wrongdoing to the arresting officers. If you have been arrested in the United States, you have the right to remain silent and you should do so. You don’t want to say anything incriminating that could be used against you in a court of law.
The arresting officers are just doing their job and upholding the law, but they cannot pressure you to make statements under any type of duress. If you are truly intoxicated, you need to resist the urge to react emotionally or erratically, as this will not turn out positively for you. You must simply follow the arresting officers’ requests and commands during the actual testing and arrest process, and keep quiet. You should be discussing your case with a lawyer before anyone else.
Getting arrested for a DUI is not an easy thing to handle but you can and will get through it. The outcome of your case will depend on several different factors, and there is no quick fix. If you are convicted there will be repercussions that you will have to deal with for years to come.
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