Don’t Be Stuck With a DUI: How a Lawyer Can Help
Things don’t always go as planned in life, and sometimes we end up in trouble without meaning to get there. If you are facing charges for a DUI or DWI, it may be tempting to represent yourself in court. But without the knowledge of a Fairfax DUI lawyer, you could do yourself more harm than good. Some of the many reasons a Fairfax DUI lawyer or Fairfax DWI lawyer is the wisest choice when it comes to dealing with these charges include:
- Professional Advice. According to NOLO, one of the simplest things a Fairfax DUI lawyer can do is provide excellent, professional advice. Contrary to popular belief, no two DUIs or DWIs are the same. A professional can look at the specifics of the incident and tailor their advice to meet those needs. It’s one thing to do research as background information, but it could be hazardous to depend on that to build a defense in court. A Fairfax DUI attorney can decide whether it’s better to plead guilty or not and what courses of action to take to better confront the court system. With this advice in hand, a successful case against a DUI or DWI charge will be much more likely.
- Plea Bargaining. A plea bargain occurs when there is something about the case that warrants another look. With the help of a Fairfax DWI lawyer, it may be possible to argue the results were inconclusive or there was no untoward behavior taking place. As a result, the charge may be dropped to a lesser offense, such as reckless driving, and afford you a better chance at keeping a good record. This will not only help keep extra points off your license, but could help prevent insurance rates from going up as they would with a drinking and driving charge. A Fairfax DUI attorney can look at the specific case and decide whether a plea bargain is likely to work.
- Sentence Bargaining. Sentence bargaining, while similar to plea bargaining, is a different court tactic used by a Fairfax DUI lawyer. In situations where the case involves a very high blood alcohol content (BAC) or the incident caused injury or death, the result of pleading guilty could be a long incarceration. This could also be useful in the case of a second offender, someone who has been to court for a DUI or DWI on a prior occasion. In these situations a Fairfax DUI lawyer may be able to bargain for knowledge of what sentence would be given if the defendant were to plead guilty. From there they can advise on whether to fight the charges and try for a better sentence.
In Fairfax, VA, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to drive with any amount of alcohol in their system. A conviction of this sort usually results in loss of license for a year and either a $500 fine or 50 hours of community service, depending on the case. For cases involving a BAC of .14 or less in adults, the sentence is losing the license for a year, 30 days of suspended jail time, a $600 fine, and an order to complete the ASAP class. For anything higher, there is active jail time and even higher fines.
By looking at these sentences, it’s easy to see why hiring a Fairfax DUI lawyer like Faraji A. Rosenthall is a good choice. His offices will seek after the best possible results for your case. They offer a free consultation, and experienced legal representation.
