One of the most frightening and stressful situations in life is a
DUI arrest. Although all hope seems lost, what you do after your arrest can
be the difference between conviction and freedom. However, people often
make mistakes that jeopardize their chances of obtaining a positive outcome
in their case.
Here are the five most common mistakes people make following a DUI arrest:
-
Plead guilty - Just because you got arrested or tested over the legal limit, doesn’t
mean that you will automatically guilty of committing the crime. If you
plead guilty, you will lose the opportunity to see if there was a viable
defense available to obtain a case dismissal or reduced penalties.
-
Not exercise your Fifth Amendment right - Many people assume that if they can talk their way out of any situation,
especially a DUI arrest. Unfortunately, whatever you say can and will
be used against you at trial. So telling “your side of the story”
often provides police and prosecutors plenty of evidence to convict you
for drunk driving.
-
Not getting your driving privileges back - Whether you failed a post-arrest chemical test or refused to take it,
your license will automatically be suspended. If you do not attempt to
regain your driving privileges by scheduling an administrative license
suspension hearing within ten days of your arrest, your driver’s
license will be automatically suspended. Not having the ability to drive
can make life difficult.
-
Driving on a suspended license - Despite getting their license suspended, many people continue to drive.
If you are arrested for driving with a suspended license, it is considered
a misdemeanor offense, punishable by a jail sentence of up to 60 days
and a maximum fine of $500.
-
Not hire a lawyer - A DUI conviction can result in a jail sentence of up to six months (nine
months if you had a BAC of .15 percent or more, a maximum fine of $1,000,
and license suspension for up to one year. To avoid serving these penalties,
as well as making the mistakes mentioned above, you need to hire a skilled
criminal defense attorney. A lawyer can review your case, figure out your
available defenses, and develop a strong case strategy to protect your
rights and future.
If you have been arrested for a DUI in Florida,
contact our Daytona Beach DUI attorney at the
Law Offices of Robert Stepniak today.