Get The Answers You Need After A DUI Arrest
Colorado’s drunk driving laws are complicated, which is why we get so many DUI lawyer questions at our Colorado Springs criminal defense law offices. If you’re facing DUI charges, or you just want to be prepared in case an officer pulls you over for suspicion of driving under the influence, here are answers to some of the top DUI lawyer questions we are asked every day.
Is Getting A DUI Lawyer Worth It?
To determine whether or not getting a DUI lawyer is worth the effort, ask yourself these questions: How valuable are my driving privileges? How many thousands of dollars am I prepared to pay in fines, penalties, and other costs? How much will it cost me in employment and other opportunities to have a criminal conviction on my record? How much is each day, week, or month I spend in jail worth to me?
If you think these questions are extreme, think again. That is because you stand to lose all of these things if El Paso or Teller County prosecutors convict you of DUI, even if it’s your first offense. Given how much you could save in dollars, time, reputation, and freedom if you successfully fight the charges against you, hiring an experienced DUI defense attorney is the best investment you can make.
How Do I Find the Best DUI Lawyer?
Many, if not most, Colorado Springs residents charged with DUI have never needed a criminal defense lawyer before. But you need one now, and you need one fast. Where do you look?
Start by asking your friends and your personal network for referrals. Specifically, try to find someone who faced DUI charges and had a DUI defense attorney with whom they had a positive experience.
If you get some referrals, follow up with some online research. Look at the lawyers’ websites to get a sense of their credentials and their experience and results with DUI cases. Also, check for any reviews or client testimonials on other websites.
Arrange a consultation with two or three attorneys who seem to fit the bill for you and consider asking them some or all of the following questions:
- How long have you practiced criminal defense law in Colorado Springs?
- Is criminal defense all you do?
- How many DUI cases have you handled? How many are you defending now?
- What is your record defending against DUI charges?
- Will you be personally defending my DUI case or will some other attorney in your office be representing me?
- How much will it cost to defend me against my DUI charges and do you offer any payment plans?
Related: Hiring a DUI Attorney? Avoid These 5 Critical Mistakes
Can A DUI Lawyer Help Reduce The Charges?
For first-time DUI defendants who did not injure anyone or damage any property when they were behind the wheel, and whose blood alcohol content was at or just slightly over the legal limit, a skilled DUI defense attorney may be able to reach a plea agreement to reduce the DUI charges to what is commonly called a “wet reckless.”
The consequences of pleading guilty to a wet reckless are significantly less harsh than the penalties upon conviction for DUI. No jail time is involved, and you won’t have a DUI on your record – at least for the moment. However, if you get a subsequent DUI charge, prosecutors will treat the earlier wet reckless as a DUI conviction. This means that you will face the more severe penalties that come with a second or subsequent DUI conviction.
How Can I Beat A DUI Without An Attorney?
Beating a DUI charge without an attorney is not easy. Colorado Springs prosecutors – and judges – take DUI charges very seriously. The courts won’t treat you any differently or cut you some slack because you made the decision to try to represent yourself. Our local prosecutors will expect you to know, understand, and follow all applicable rules of procedure and evidence. El Paso and Teller County judges won’t tolerate grandstanding or arguments that have no basis in the facts or law.
Unless you have a comprehensive knowledge of Colorado DUI law and criminal procedure, you will be at an almost impossible disadvantage defending yourself against experienced and aggressive prosecutors determined to obtain your conviction.
Have More DUI Lawyer Questions?
If you have more questions you would like to ask a DUI attorney in Colorado Springs, contact James Newby Law today. We have the experience, reputation, and desire to help you beat the charges against you.