WHAT TO DO AFTER A DUI

A DUI is one of the scariest and most stressful crimes you can be accused of. A hundred thoughts probably flood your mind after being pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence. Thoughts like “What do I do if I lose my license?”, “How will this affect my insurance?”, “Who can I talk to?”, or even simply “What can I do now?”

While it is a very scary time, there are a few things you need to do. Following these few steps will ensure you are as prepared as possible for your DUI case.

PREPARING FOR A DUI CASE

TAKE NOTES ABOUT YOUR DUI STOP

The first step is to write detailed notes about your DUI stop. Details are arguably the most important part of a DUI case. They can be the difference between a win or a loss, so be sure to write down everything you can remember, even if it seems insignificant at the time. Memory fades over time, so you need to do this first and as quickly as possible. The one fact that you could potentially forget could be the one that could win your case. Here are a few questions to ask yourself help you remember important details and to jog your memory:

  • Where did your stop take place?
  • What time of day was it?
  • Why did the officer say they stopped you?
  • Did you take a breathalyzer test? If you did, what did the equipment look like?
  • What did you tell the officer you had recently eaten or drank?
  • Did they have you perform and other tests? What were they?

Take the time to write the answers to all these questions down along with anything else you might remember from the event so you do not forget it. Be sure that your attorney is the only one to see it.

SET YOUR ONLINE PROFILES TO PRIVATE AFTER A DUI

The second thing you should do is set your online profiles to private for a time. Everyone has heard that phrase “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” This phrase no longer applies simply to the things you say. The things you post online are also available for anyone to find and to use against you. Prosecutors will snoop around your online profiles trying to find incriminating pictures of you to use against you at the trial. Especially if you have pictures of you partying a short time before your arrest.

The public materials you post online could be catastrophic if presented without the proper context and can do substantial damage to your reputation and your case. A prosecutor with the right material will have no trouble turning a jury against you. Marking your online profile as private will make it much more difficult for them to get the material they need.

HOW TO CHOOSE A DUI ATTORNEY

It is important to hire the best DUI lawyer possible. It is arguably the most important decision you will make for your case.

DUI cases are mostly science based, so the trial will be different than other cases. Test reports are often the main source of evidence for DUI trials. These tests must follow specific procedures, and a lawyer that knows the science behind these procedures has the best chance of helping you.

Taking time to choose an experienced DUI attorney can prove to have a large dividend on your investment. You want an attorney that will speak to you clearly about the consequences of your charge and your options for moving forward. You also want to choose an attorney who will be a tough negotiator on your behalf.

FIND WITNESSES

The next step is to find witnesses that can help your argument. Anyone who saw you before, during, or after the stop might help you. Ask them if they would mind testifying in court on your behalf. A few witnesses can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case. Your attorney will need to speak with them before the trial so they can give your witnesses their statements. Giving the witnesses their statements ensures they do not forget the important details.

Finally, do your best to remain calm. A DUI charge is one of the most stressful events in a person’s life, so it is natural to experience stress over the potential consequences and outcomes. However, you hired an attorney to take care of the details. You should keep good communication between you and your attorney and should let them know if you have any concerns about your trial. A great attorney can take a challenging legal situation, like a DUI, and turn it into a resolved situation.