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Chapter 1 - Immediately Following a DUI

 

  • Contact 2-3 DUI attorneys – or complete the form on our home page and have them contact you.
  • Arrange an in person consultation with them within the next 3 days. Time is of the essence in DUI cases, you only have a limited amount of time to request a DMV hearing in order to try to save your driving privilege. The longer an attorney has to review your case the better he or she will be able to prepare a strong defense for you.
  • Make sure the attorney is accessible to you – you should not be driving unless the police officer has issued you a temporary license.
  • Stay sober. While it may be tempting to drown your sorrows, this will only make things worse. You need to keep a clear head, and remove any risk of getting another DUI which will seriously compound the severity of the situation you are in.
  • Stay calm. Panicking will not help you further your cause. If you feel you are unable to cope with the stress, contact your doctor and explain the situation. Also, confide in friends or family members that will be supportive of you.
  • Don’t beat yourself up. DUI is the single-most common crime in the United States today. Thousands of generally law-abiding citizens are arrested and charged with this crime every year. Why? Because DUIs are a political and social hot potato, and they generate a great deal of revenue for counties and states. Obviously driving at or over the legal limit was a mistake, but it is one that lots of people from all walks of life make, including lawyers, police officers, pilots, doctors and teachers.
  • Moping is a waste of time. Be proactive about knowing your rights, and speak with qualified attorneys who will be able to give you a fair summary of possible ways to get the best result for your case.
  • Obtain medical and mental health records from your doctor or other practitioners, including copies of any prescribed medications. You will want to show these to your prospective attorneys during your initial consultation, as this could lead to a strong defense for your case.
  • Review your finances. Most attorneys will require a 50% retainer up front, and an experienced DUI attorney may charge between $2,500 - $5,000 or more depending on the complexity of the case, whether it is considered an “aggravated DUI” and so on.
  • If you do not have sufficient funds in savings or available on your credit card, you may want to start applying for loans, cashing in part of your 401(k) – although this is subject to steep tax penalties - or selling any items of value to cover the cost of the attorney. You do not want to gamble with your future by going with a public defender, who will have 5 to 15 times the caseload of a private attorney, and so the attention to your case will not be nearly as great.
  • Make sure you know your court date. Make arrangements to get to court well in advance, and aim to get there at least 30 minutes early, so you have time to get settled and consult with your attorney.
  • Be honest with yourself. Do you have a drug or alcohol problem that led to the DUI? If you answered yes, find a local AA or NA meeting where you will meet other people who have gone through a similar experience. Also, ask your doctor about drug and alcohol programs in your area. The sooner you enroll in a program, the more likely the DMV will be to grant you a temporary restricted driver’s license. Such classes can also help you stay sober and manage stress throughout the DUI process.

 

Read Chapter 2 - DUI Checklist >>

 

The DUI Guide - Content


 

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