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What does a Drunk Driving Lawyer do?

Keith Koons
Keith Koons

When a person is arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or other mood-altering substances, he will often hire a drunk driving lawyer to represent him. This type of attorney would research each aspect of the arrest to ensure that it was conducted in accordance to local laws. The legal representative would then negotiate stipulations with the court like bail costs, temporary driving privileges, or postponing the trial. Once the case is heard by a judge, a drunk driving lawyer would speak on the defendant's behalf in order to minimize legal penalties.

Different regions have various laws that pertain to driving a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance. A drunk driving lawyer specializes in interpreting these laws, and this type of attorney often has additional insight into how the local regulations are enforced. Once a drunk driving lawyer is retained, he will study the details of the case to see if there are any circumstances that would benefit his client. Occasionally, enforcement officers will unintentionally violate the suspect's rights by not following local procedures or forgetting to file a document. This type of circumstance could result in the charges being dismissed immediately, or it could lead to a type of plea bargain that would reduce the charges.

A drunk driving lawyer handles the defense of someone charged with drinking and driving.
A drunk driving lawyer handles the defense of someone charged with drinking and driving.

If there is not sufficient reason to have the case dismissed, a drunk driving lawyer would then approach the court to negotiate on his client's behalf. For example, some areas seize a driver's license on the spot if they are arrested for drunk driving. An attorney can sometimes convince a judge to issue a temporary license so that the defendant can drive to work or handle personal affairs. The legal representative would also attempt to get the bail amount set as low as possible in order to assist his client. Other requests pertaining to the upcoming trial would also be handled by the attorney.

It is important that defendants share all of the facts about their DUI stop with their lawyers.
It is important that defendants share all of the facts about their DUI stop with their lawyers.

A drunk driving lawyer also represents his client in court once the case is called. The attorney would discuss each of the client's legal options before entering the courthouse, and he would create a plan on how the case should be handled before a judge. As the trial unfolds, the drunk driving lawyer would interpret the evidence that the prosecuting attorney introduces. He would then make an argument to disprove the charges. If the defendant is found guilty of the drunk driving charge, the attorney would then advise him on how to proceed with appeals.

Discussion Comments

Markerrag

@Melonlity -- good points, but there is still a lot a drunk driving attorney can do to help a client even if the defendant is guilty and the police followed all the correct procedures. For example, a drunk driving attorney may be able to get the sentence reduced so less or no jail time is served. He or she might be able to get fines reduced, shorten the amount of time the client is without a license, help secure a client a license to drive to and from work, etc.

A drunk driver will be found guilty most of the time unless the police dropped the ball on the stop and arrest. Still, a good drunk driving attorney can do a lot more than try to beat a charge when the defendant is guilty and the state can prove its case.

Melonlity

This is a tough area to specialize in. Why? If a drunk driver was stopped properly, the field sobriety tests were conducted properly and either a breathalizer or blood test shows someone was drunk while driving a car, what's left to argue? Police have gotten very good over the years at following the correct procedures when stopping, testing and arresting drunk drivers.

Throw harsher legislation pushed by advocacy groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) into the mix and you have a situation where it is tough for someone to beat a drunk driving charge.

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    • A drunk driving lawyer handles the defense of someone charged with drinking and driving.
      By: zuchero
      A drunk driving lawyer handles the defense of someone charged with drinking and driving.
    • It is important that defendants share all of the facts about their DUI stop with their lawyers.
      By: openyouraperture
      It is important that defendants share all of the facts about their DUI stop with their lawyers.
    • Bail money is returned, provided the accused attends his or her trial, however a "bounty hunter", or bail bondsman, may be sent out to capture the accused if they skip their trial.
      By: diter
      Bail money is returned, provided the accused attends his or her trial, however a "bounty hunter", or bail bondsman, may be sent out to capture the accused if they skip their trial.