Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol puts both the impaired driver and other road users at risk. Most people would agree that they and their families would be in danger if they encountered a drunk driver as they made their way around Idaho. Yet, thousands of drivers get arrested every year. In 2017, Idaho recorded 5, 458 DUI arrests. It is estimated that individuals drive drunk an average of 80 times before they get arrested for the first time. Given the prevalence of impaired driving and the devastating impact it can have on individuals, the state takes the offense seriously.
Yet, many people don’t understand how much trouble they’re in when the police slap on the cuffs. They think they can explain their way out of the situation or that they’ll escape with a fine if they just plead guilty. However, the truth is that a DUI charge is serious even if it’s your first offense. Don’t believe the myth that the outcome will be the same regardless of whether you have a lawyer or not. Anyone who is accused of drunk driving needs to hire a lawyer at the earliest opportunity.
Even though the maximum penalties are harsh, a skilled lawyer may be able to get you the minimum punishment. They may even be able to get the charges against you dropped because of a procedural error or technicality. If you don’t know the law, you won’t know if your rights were breached. You also won’t know how to gather evidence or navigate the courtroom or court system. You have the right to represent yourself anytime you’re charged with a crime but if you want the best possible outcome, you should hire a DUI lawyer in Boise.
You need to have your case assessed by a professional. It doesn’t matter whether you have friends or relatives who have been charged with a DUI before. Each case has its own unique characteristics and taking advice from the wrong people could make your situation worse. Your lawyer will investigate your case thoroughly and advise you on what your next steps should be.
If you are innocent, they will defend you and present evidence to counter the state’s position. If you really did get behind the wheel while impaired by drugs or alcohol, you should acknowledge that you were wrong. However, you’ll still need someone to get you the best possible outcome. Your freedom, career, and reputation could be jeopardy, so you need to make the smart choice.
How Your Boise DUI Attorney Will Defend You
Defending a DUI charge is usually challenging. However, even if you can’t see a way out, your lawyer might. Maybe an error was made during your arrest or your chemical tests were carried out incorrectly. It’s important that you tell your attorney everything that happened from the moment the police stopped you. Even things that seem insignificant could affect the outcome of your case. Your lawyer may be able to find something that they can use to help you.
In some cases, people accused of DUIs get off because the field sobriety tests were administered incorrectly, or the chemical tests were misinterpreted. If there was an error with your test, your lawyer can challenge the results in court. You probably won’t be able to handle this on your own and the judge won’t be lenient because you’re representing yourself.
If your driving really was impaired or your BAC was above the legal limit, you shouldn’t give up hope. If you’re a first-time offender and you didn’t injure anyone, you may be eligible for the state’s diversion program. You would escape jail time and you would be able to get a hardship license. This is not guaranteed but you stand a better chance of getting a favorable outcome if you hire a lawyer.
Contact the Trilogy Law Group and Get the Help You Need
Whether you’re guilty or not, you need to hire a lawyer. Don’t delay in calling the Boise DUI lawyers at the Trilogy Law Group. We’ll do everything we can to help you avoid jail time, heavy fines, and the other consequences of a DUI conviction. It’s never a good idea to try to handle criminal charges on your own and there’s no need to do so when we’re here to help. Schedule a free consultation today and let us provide you with expert advice and representation.