More than one million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence in 2016.
If you’ve found yourself in this situation or want to know what to do before it’s too late, then this is the guide for you.
Here’s what you need to know to get a DUI.
Contact a Lawyer
After you’ve been arrested for suspicion of DUI, the first thing you’ll want to do is contact a lawyer. They’re going to tell you what to do and say to help get you through this process.
They’ll work with your family for bail and start preparing your case for you.
Ensure You Have Transportation
If bail gets posted, arrange for transportation around. Even if you haven’t been formally charged yet, your license gets suspended almost immediately after the arrest.
Utilize public transportation, ride-sharing apps, or family and friends to get you around town for the time being. Your license won’t get reinstated until after the court decides on charges, so if your court date isn’t for several weeks or months, make arrangements for this entire time.
Prepare and Attend Court
Be on your best behavior while you and your attorney attend court. There’s no value in lying in court and it would only make your case worse. Tell the truth and admit to your mistakes and that you want to change them.
At the end of the day, there are limitations set in place for minimum and maximums sentences. Depending on your state, this may mean jail time. This comes down to the judge and what they decide.
Dress professionally and present yourself in a friendly manner. Being rude and abrasive may cause the judge to impose a harsher sentence.
Accept the Charges and Sentencing
Once charges and sentencing are decided on, accept them for what they are. Most first-time sentences are lenient compared to repeat offenders. The sentencing will require a suspended license, completion of a program, and possibly community service.
In certain states, you might not have a choice but to do minimum sentencing in a local jail. This can range from a couple of days to upwards of three months. If you seem unruly or disrespectful, a judge can give you the maximum sentence possible, which could be as much as a year.
To avoid this entire process, you can buy your own sobriety tests ahead of time. You can learn more about field sobriety tests through DUI Goodbye.
Getting a DUI Isn’t the End
Getting a DUI doesn’t have to be the end of the road for you. Learn from your mistakes and use them to push yourself forward. Now that you’ve seen how long and difficult the process is, don’t put yourself back in that position.
If you want to learn more about driving laws, then check out the rest of the blog. Know someone that’s close to turning 21? Share this article with them so they don’t drink and drive.