A DUI conviction can have long-lasting ramifications on your life. The normality and predictability that you once enjoyed may give way to consequences that are beyond your control because of your offense.
When you want to maintain control and act in your own best legal interests, it is vital that you take advantage of the resources offered to you on the Internet. You can research important topics related to DUI laws in your state by visiting DUIWise.com today.
DUI Definition
How does the law in your state define driving under the influence? Of what substances are you to avoid being under the influence? How high can your blood alcohol content, or BAC, be before you are arrested and charged with DUI?
These questions can all be answered when you browse the information available at DUIWise.com. It offers the legal definition of DUI from state to state as well as what BAC level is considered to be over the limit. It even tells you what substances to avoid consuming before you drive a car, boat, or other vehicles.
Additionally, you can find information about how law enforcement determines if or when to pull you over for driving under the influence. You can find out what driving behaviors, such as weaving in and out of traffic or driving on the shoulder of the road, could tip law enforcement off about your level of intoxication.
If you are pulled over, how will the police test you for DUI? You can find out by using the facts provided at DUIWise.com. You may be subject to any number of field sobriety tests like walking in a straight line or touching your nose with your forefinger. If you fail these tests, you might be put under arrest and charged with driving while intoxicated.
The website can explain what to expect if you are placed under arrest for this crime. You can act quickly in your own best interests by using the information about DUI arrests provided to you on DUIWise.com.
DUI Arrest
What can you expect if you are arrested for DUI? You will be taken to the local police station for booking and processing before you are released.
The booking process typically involves you being fingerprinted and photographed. You also will have your cell phone, wallet, purse, and other personal belongings taken from you until you make bail or are released from jail.
Once you are processed, you may be placed in a holding cell until you are arraigned or pay your bail amount. Depending on the state in which you live, you might be given the opportunity to make bail before your arraignment. If not, you can pay your bail after the judge arraigns you for DUI.
If you cannot pay the full amount of your bail, you can bond yourself out of jail by paying one-tenth of the amount. You can pay this amount out-of-pocket or secure it from a bail bondsman. DUIWise.com can help you understand the process of hiring a bondsman and what criteria you must abide by if you retain those services.
Once you are released from jail, you must still show up for your arraignment and trial. If you skip on either of these court appearances, you could have a warrant put out for your immediate arrest.
DUI Charges
Depending on the severity and nature of your DUI crime, you could face any number of charges in court. If you are a first-time offender, you may face a lesser DUI charge than if you are a repeat offender. You also may face less severe punishments that include shorter stints in jail, community service, monetary fines, or brief suspension of your driver’s license.
Likewise, you may be charged differently if you are a minor than if you are an adult over the age of 18. Juvenile DUI charges are typically less severe than adult charges. They also are typically removed from your criminal record when you reach the age of 21.
As you can find out on DUIWise.com, the charges that you face could be more severe if you damaged property while driving while intoxicated or if your actions lead to the physical harm or death of another motorist, pedestrian, or bystander. If you caused damage to property or another person, you likely will not be allowed to bond or bail out of jail and instead face possible jail time or house arrest.
You can prepare yourself and work better with your lawyer by learning about the possible charges and punishment for DUI in your state. You can get all of the facts you need to advocate for yourself in court by going to DUIWise.com today.
DUI Impact on Your Life
As mentioned, a DUI conviction can have a lengthy, negative impact on your life. Even first-time DUI offenders may find it difficult to find or keep a job if their licenses are suspended.
Without a license, you cannot drive yourself to and from work or anywhere else. You could lose your job and have no way to earn an income because of your DUI conviction.
Likewise, your conviction may be published in local newspapers where your friends, neighbors, family members, and coworkers can see it. Even if you want to keep this news under wraps, it may be impossible to after the court reports it to the local media. Being convicted of driving under the influence could jeopardize your reputation and standing in the community.
Finally, a DUI conviction takes its toll on your family life. Your loved ones may no longer be able to trust you or put faith in your actions or decisions. You may even put your marriage and role as a parent in jeopardy.
When you want to minimize the damage that driving under the influence has on your life and others in it, it is crucial that you retain legal representation. A DUI lawyer may be able to help you keep your license and job as well as keep news about your conviction out of the newspapers. He or she also may be able to advise you on resources like rehab and counseling that could help you turn your life around and show your loved ones that you can be trusted.
DUI Legal Resources
DUIWise.com offers you a host of legal resources and information that you can use to your own advantage in and out of court. You can find details about when to retain a DUI lawyer in your state. You can also find out the variety of ways a DUI lawyer can help you both before, during, and after your court appearance.
Some of the advantages that come with hiring a lawyer to help you with your DUI case include:
- getting the charges reduced or dropped
- settling the case out of court
- avoiding jail time
- having the conviction expunged after you serve your sentence
Your lawyer can also make sure that your arrest was lawful and that any field sobriety tests were administered and read correctly. If your rights were violated or your test results were skewed, you could have the DUI charges against you dropped.
If you fear that you cannot afford to retain a lawyer and must represent yourself in your case, you can discover useful tips on DUIWise.com about securing either free or affordable legal services. You could have a lawyer appointed to you if you cannot afford one on your own.
You also can read on the website about finding a lawyer who offers payment plans or other affordable options for paying for your legal services. Using the information found on the website, you can prepare yourself to go to court and overcome the DUI charges against you so that you can go on with your life.
A conviction of driving under the influence can wreak havoc on your professional and family life. You can go to court with confidence and know-how to advocate in your own best interests by researching how to build a defense case on DUIWise.com. The helpful legal information on this website is free and available to you anytime.