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Guilty: The Pros Of Hiring An Attorney

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Guilty: The Pros Of Hiring An Attorney
Why You Need To Hire An Attorney When Arrested For A DUI

If you've been arrested for driving under the influence, or DUI, you're probably worried and confused about what's going to happen to you. If you're like a lot of people, a DUI arrest is your first brush with the criminal justice system, and it can be scary. While you can represent yourself, it's best to hire a criminal defense attorney. Here's why.

The Plea

You're expected to enter a plea during your arraignment. Even if you know for sure you were intoxicated, it probably isn't a good idea to plead guilty right away. If you plead not guilty, you can always change your plea at a later time. Pleading not guilty buys time for your attorney to examine the facts of your case and build a strong defense. If you have an attorney at your side during the arraignment, he or she can offer advice over what you should plead and whether you should request a jury trial. An attorney can also shield you from pressure to make a quick plea that could harm you later. However, since an arraignment usually happens quickly after your arrest, you might not have time to hire an attorney. In that case, you're allowed to represent yourself. In most instances, it's probably best to enter a plea of not guilty when you haven't had time to speak to an attorney first. …show more content…
If this is your first criminal offense, the judge may be agreeable to give you a minimum amount of jail time. An attorney may even get your charges reduced from a DUI to something else like reckless driving. Plea bargaining is a good option when it is unlikely you'll win if your attorney tries to fight the charges. Before making the decision to plea bargain, the attorney examines the facts of your case to see if there are any details that can be used to have your case thrown out.

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