Going to court for a DUI without an experienced DUI lawyer can lead to substantially decreased overall freedoms (including the loss of your ability to drive) and a higher risk of jail time. In addition, you may find yourself facing a higher fine than you would if you worked with an attorney.
When you have a Los Angeles DUI lawyer on your side, they will serve as your advocates, both in court and in dealing with the DMV. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer on your own, the court will assign a public defender to deal with your claim. Public defenders can serve many of the same purposes as private DUI lawyers, but they might not offer as many advantages.
Having a Los Angeles DUI attorney on your side does not guarantee that you will face fewer consequences for a DUI. However, working with a lawyer can help you protect your freedoms and make sure your rights are taken into account as the court hears your case. Call today to review your options.
You May Have to Appear at Each Court Appearance Yourself
In some cases, a private DUI lawyer can appear in court on your behalf, especially for routine proceedings. When you work with a public defender or decide to continue without representation, you may have to show up for those court appearances personally. That can mean missing time at work and further disruption in your personal life as you handle your case.
You May End Up Having to Pay Heavier Penalties
A private DUI attorney may advocate harder on your behalf than a public defender. Public defenders often have a high volume of cases at any given time. While they will do their best for their clients, they may not have the time and energy to spend on each case.
Public defenders are often overworked and, in some cases, may not even have the chance to do the research or put in the effort necessary to maximize results for their clients. As a result, you may not get the outcomes you both expect and need in your case.
If you go to court for a DUI without a lawyer, you may find yourself dealing with:
Longer License Loss
When you are convicted of a DUI, you may lose your license for a period of time, often several months or years, depending on how many previous convictions you may have and your BAC at the time of the incident.
In some cases, you may have the right to apply for a provisional license that will allow you to drive on a limited basis: with a breathalyzer in your car, during work hours, or to transport a child when needed, for example.
A private DUI attorney can help fight to minimize the loss of your license and increase the odds that you will get a provisional license for the duration of your driver’s license suspension.
Jail Time
Sometimes, a DUI can come with jail time. Time in jail disrupts your personal freedom. You cannot work while in jail, which means you may have decreased income.
Not only that, but often, jail time can cause you to lose your job altogether, which means you may have to apply for a new job when you get out, and it can be more difficult to get hired with a DUI on your record. A private DUI attorney can help fight to minimize those consequences as much as possible.
Higher Fines
DUI often carries fines as well as jail time and other penalties. Going to court without a DUI lawyer may leave you facing higher overall penalties for a conviction, including higher fines. This can cut into the money you might prefer to spend on other things or make it difficult for you to manage your finances.
Ineffective Plea Bargaining
A plea bargain is an agreement between the defendant and the prosecution in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty or no contest to a lesser charge or the original charge with reduced penalties. This process allows both parties to avoid the uncertainty and expense of a trial.
For a defendant, a plea bargain can result in a more lenient sentence, such as reduced fines, a shorter license suspension, or less jail time. Additionally, a plea deal might allow for a charge to be reduced from a DUI to a “wet reckless,” which carries less severe consequences. The prosecution, on the other hand, secures a conviction without the need for a lengthy trial.
The judge must approve plea bargains, which will ensure that the agreement is fair and that the defendant fully understands the implications of the plea. Accepting a plea bargain often means waiving certain rights, including the right to a trial and the right to appeal the conviction. Consult an experienced DUI attorney in Los Angeles before agreeing to any plea deal.
You May Not Get the Knowledge You Really Need to Manage DUI Charges
Attorneys experienced in handling DUI cases have in-depth DUI knowledge that can help you navigate those charges. They know the law inside and out, often in ways that public defenders do not.
A lawyer with detailed knowledge of local DUI laws and regulations can help you more effectively navigate those charges and decrease the penalties associated with a conviction.
Can You Represent Yourself in Court for DUI Charges?
Legally, you have the right to represent yourself in court when facing DUI charges. You do not have to accept the public defender assigned to your case. If you do not work well with the public defender or do not trust their efforts, you have the option to either bring in a private attorney on your own or to represent yourself in court. The choice of representation is always yours.
Representing yourself at a DUI trial, however, is rarely a good idea. Legal expertise comes with extensive study of both the law and trial skills, and the average citizen does not have those skills. You may not know the rules of interacting with the court, from how to present yourself to the judge to what steps you need to take in interviewing a witness or presenting evidence.
Furthermore, representing yourself may cause the judge to take you less seriously. Having an experienced DUI attorney on your side can make a huge difference as you fight to protect your personal freedoms and minimize the consequences of a DUI as much as possible.
You Have the Right to Legal Counsel in California
The Constitution grants everyone charged with a criminal act the right to legal representation, ensuring a fair trial and upholding the principles of justice. This fundamental right is enshrined in the Sixth Amendment, which guarantees that in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to have the assistance of counsel for their defense.
A DUI accident attorney in Los Angeles can help you by:
- Protecting your rights
- Reviewing plea bargains
- Fighting for you in court
- Challenge evidence
- Fight to dismiss the claim
Facing charges can feel overwhelming and endanger your future plans. Don’t risk going to court for a DUI without an attorney. Work with an experienced Los Angeles DUI attorney to protect the life you built for yourself.
Go to Court for a DUI With a Lawyer
Having a private DUI lawyer on your side offers the best strategy for minimizing the consequences of a DUI conviction and allowing you to protect your personal freedoms.
If you need a Los Angeles DUI attorney to represent you, contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help support you as you manage your case. We will help you get in touch with experienced legal professionals who will fight to protect your rights.
