Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in all U.S. states and can have life-altering consequences. A DUI charge is a big mistake that can haunt you for a long time if you don’t react quickly to your circumstances.
If you are arrested for a DUI, you may be spending the night in jail, wondering what you should do next. Most people don’t know how to help themselves beyond calling a lawyer.
While it’s crucial to call a DUI specialist like the Hardy Law Firm, there are a few other crucial steps that you should follow if you are arrested for a DUI. When you choose to put your safety and risk the safety of other drivers on the road by driving intoxicated, you will have to answer for your behavior. Let’s take a closer look at the steps you should take if you are arrested for a DUI.
Right to Drive
When you are arrested for a DUI, the officers on the scene will likely take possession of your driver’s license and suspend your right to drive. In some states, the ticket that you receive from the police will act as a temporary driving permit for up to 10 days. In those 10 days, you or your lawyer must work towards preserving your right to drive after the 10 days are up. You can either move forward with a request for a formal review of your driving privileges or apply for a hardship license if this is your first DUI offense. You will want to discuss this process with your lawyer to assure that the paperwork is filed in time.
Hire a DUI Lawyer
It is highly recommended that you hire a lawyer in any circumstance where you have been arrested for a DUI offense. It is in your best interest to find a legal team that specializes in DUI charges. You will want to work with an attorney that knows all the ins and outs of the legal system and how to handle your DUI case quickly and effectively.
Start a Case Folder
It will be up to you to work with your legal team to build a strong case in your defense. During the legal process, you will end up collecting various paperwork that you need to keep organized. Building a single file for all of your paperwork pertaining to your case will help you to build an effective case.
Work with your legal team to collect necessary evidence. You should collect all receipts from the night you were arrested and make copies of your text and social media messages if they are important. Make a list of witnesses that are willing to make a statement and record their contact information.
Social Media
Your social media accounts tell the world a lot about you. The legal team that is prosecuting you will be looking online for anything that they could use to help them make their case. After you are arrested for a DUI, it’s a good idea to temporarily shut down all of your social media sites, or at the minimum, you need to change your privacy settings. If you have photos online of you partying or drinking, it’s time to delete them.
If you have been arrested for a DUI, follow these steps to help you move forward to a brighter future.