Charged With A DUI? 4 Steps You Should Take To Protect Your Rights
If you've been arrested and charged with a DUI, you need to act fast. There are things you'll need to do to protect your rights. Being charged with a DUI is a serious offense, which could have lasting effects on your life – personal and professional. Don't take chances with your future. Here are four steps you should take as soon as you're facing DUI charges.
Hire an Attorney
If you're facing DUI charges, the first thing you need to do is hire an attorney. This is not the time to try and handle your legal defense on your own. The district attorney will most likely try to go after the toughest penalties they can stick you with. You're going to need legal representation in order to receive a fair hearing. For your protection, you should have an attorney before you attend your first court hearing. This is particularly important if you're going to try and maintain your driving privileges. For more information on DUI attorneys, check out http://www.chichesterlaw.com.
Document Everything
If you've been charged with a DUI, you'll need to remember as many details as possible about the event – including all the details leading up to your arrest. Those details will help you fight the charges against you. As soon as you can, start an arrest journal. Some of the things you should document in your journal will include
- Where you were before your arrest
- How much you had to drink
- Witnesses who might have been with you
- The type of sobriety test you took
Keep Track of Your Court Dates
When it comes to fighting your DUI charges, one of the most important things you can do is keep track of your court dates. The judge will be monitoring your appearances. If you fail to show up for your court dates, a warrant could be issued for your arrest, which may add additional charges to your case. If you can't make a scheduled court date, be sure to notify your attorney as soon as possible.
Contact Your Insurance Company
As soon as you've been charged with a DUI, you need to contact your insurance company. In most cases, they won't do anything until after your court case has gone through the court system. However, if you fail to inform them, they may cancel your insurance while your case is still being heard. If you're convicted of the DUI, you'll need to obtain SR22 coverage for your insurance, which serves as proof that you have the proper insurance coverage to drive.
If you've been charged with a DUI, use the tips provided here to avoid problems during the legal process. For questions and concerns regarding your case, be sure to speak to an attorney near you.