Is there any way to prep for a DUI court date? Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a severe offense in Idaho. If the court convicts you, you face significant jail time. If you’re lucky and depending on the facts of your case, you may only pay fines. Therefore, a DUI court hearing is a serious issue, and you should prepare adequately.
Moreover, faulty preparation can lead you to mistakes in court. Unfortunately, any error can increase your chances of suffering stiff penalties. Therefore, it’ll help to hire the best Boise DUI lawyers to defend you if the police arrest you on a DUI charge. An excellent attorney will best prepare you for what you’re going to face in court.
Tips for DUI Court Hearings
DUI court appearances are sometimes inevitable. Therefore, it’ll help to be ready for them. The best preparations start from the date of arrest, and the tips below can help you in DUI court.
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Understand the Nature of the Hearing
Not all court appointments are the same. Moreover, the court expects different things from you in each instance. So, it’s vital to understand the various types of court hearings. For example, if it’s a misdemeanor DUI, there’s the arraignment stage, pre-trial conference, and the trial stage.
The law mainly expects you to listen to your charge(s) at the arraignment hearing. After the reading, you can enter a plea. The pre-trial conference is an opportunity to resolve the case without a trial. Finally, if the case gets to trial, the court will now hear and decide its merits.
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Choose Your Plea
If you have an attorney, they’ll talk to you about entering a plea. You have to plead “guilty” or “not guilty” to the charges the prosecutor files. Therefore, it’ll help to thoroughly discuss both options with a lawyer before going to court. Furthermore, ask your lawyer to explain the consequences of both pleas. It’s vital to note that any of the pleas could be good for you, depending on the facts of your case.
For instance, if the prosecutor has substantial evidence, it may be best to enter a guilty plea. After this, your lawyer can ask for a reduced sentence. However, in some cases, it may be best to plead “not guilty.” Then you sit back and watch the prosecutor struggle with proving your guilt.
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Register in Any Drug or Alcohol Class
If you plead guilty or the court convicts you, you can convince the court to give you a light sentence. However, you’ll need to convince the court that you’re interested in being a better person. So, you can achieve this by quickly registering in a substance abuse class. Alternatively, you can volunteer for counseling.
You can find out the substance help classes in your area. Furthermore, you can research which ones the judge prefers or trusts. Finally, if you register, don’t abandon the program. This is sufficient proof to the court that you’re insincere. Therefore, if you appear before the court again, the judge may go hard on you.
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Gather Evidence
Winning any lawsuit depends on the evidence you have. So, you can compile every piece of evidence of the DUI stop and arrest that you see. Furthermore, you can specifically look for facts and evidence that cast doubt on the prosecutor’s case.
You don’t need conclusive evidence of your innocence. The prosecutor has to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a heavy burden to offset. So, if you’re able to implant doubt in the hearts of the jury and judge, you may go free.
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Confidently Appear in Court
Having taken all the steps above, you’re now ready for your court hearing. Trust your lawyer’s abilities and hope for the best in court. Furthermore, it’ll help to dress appropriately to court. Also, find out the right way to address the judge.
Essentially, ask your attorney how best to conduct yourself in court. This is vital because bad behavior can land you a conviction for contempt of court. Consequently, you may pay for some wrongdoing even before the judge determines your case.
Let the Best DUI Lawyers in Boise Stand With You in Court
Attending a DUI court hearing can easily be the scariest day of anyone’s life. So, it would be best not to go through it alone. Family is a sound support system in court. However, it would help if you had someone that can defend you before the judge. That’s why it’ll be best to hire a Boise DUI attorney.
At the Trilogy Law Group, our lawyers have stood with many Idaho DUI arrestees. We also have an excellent track record with our cases. Therefore, if you engage our legal services, you can become one of our success stories. Call us today for a consultation on your case.