Drinking and driving have been a recurrent issue in the life of an urbanite. Despite the offense being inexcusable, many a time, people have no other choice but to drive in a drunken state as emergencies are abrupt and sudden. Therefore, under such circumstances, it is better to either sober up before driving a car or to take a cab when you are heavily drunk. However, if you are still obliged to drive your vehicle and, consequently, arrested for a DUI (Driving under Influence), the first thing to do is maintain your composure and avoid panicking.
It hardly matters that you think you have not had much drink, and you are sober to drive. If, you are caught by the police, it is very hard to convince them of your sobriety. So, articulate yourself in front of the officer concerned and follow through with these simple preliminary steps to ensure a minimum fine and to possibly avoid being jailed:
Don’t Refuse the Chemical Test: After being caught or arrested by an officer, the first mistake people tend to make is when they refuse to take the test. Please remember, refusal is a criminal offense. It will only give the authorities the chance to impose on you further and use it against you in court. So, take the chemical test, which is mandatory by law and designed to show your blood alcohol level.
- Cooperate with the officers who are just doing their job.
- Take responsibility of the fact that you might have committed a fatal mistake by driving in a drunken state.
Seek Legal Help: While many DUI defendants tackle the judge without any legal help, one must remember that it is unreasonable to think that the judge would always be favourable. Therefore, it is best to appoint an attorney specializing in DUI laws who has an in-depth understanding of such situations and can get you out of tricky situations.
- Have a working knowledge of your fundamental rights.
- Always employ the best lawyer to represent you.
Apply for a DMV Hearing: After being arrested, the first thing to do is apply for a DMV hearing. Making a formal request for a DMV hearing must be done within ten days of the arrest, or the license gets suspended by default. Therefore, with the help of your attorney, the formal request needs to be made with the utmost care.
Arrange for Bail: The best way is to arrange bail by hiring a bail bonds agent. A bail bond is an agreement of a defendant to come for trial or to pay an amount of money decided by the court. Also, there is an innumerable number of websites and phone-entries of such bondsman who will not only fast-track your process of bail but also help you appear at court hearings.
Plan for the Arraignment: Planning an arraignment requires you to prepare a plea before or during your trial. One should not plead guilty, as it leaves no scope for a fair trial. However, pleading not guilty allows you a trial-by-jury, which leaves more room for a fair chance.
These are just the baby steps that are mandatory when stuck in a drunk-driving case, without a clue. One can always look for a better solution. It is necessary to remember that everything happens for the first time, and there is no harm in being prepared for a problematic situation.
