If you’ve recently been arrested for a DUI charge, you may be asking yourself, “Who is the best DUI attorney near me?”
Some may even question if hiring an attorney to face a DUI charge is prudent. Bottom line, if you’re facing jail, a hefty fine, or a conviction that will be on your record permanently, you need an attorney.
DUI Attorney Near Me
Hiring a local DUI attorney has several advantages. He or she will be familiar with the laws governing your area. Fortunately, he or she will also know the local prosecutors. This knowledge is advantageous in developing an appropriate defense strategy.
A local attorney will be familiar with the court’s procedures, the particular laws, and the defenses applicable in your case. In recent years, states have been cracking down on drunk driving offenses. Even a first conviction for drunk driving can have a huge impact on your life, including your career.
Expertise is Important
Many people facing a DUI charge may assume that their family attorney can handle the case just as well as an attorney experienced with defending DUI charges. However, this is often not the case, and the stakes are high. A family attorney may not be apprised of the current standards required of evidence used in a DUI case. For instance, up-to-date information regarding blood draws, field sobriety tests, and breath tests can have a significant impact on a DUI case.
In the event that your case needs to be defended against a license suspension, a knowledgeable DUI attorney knows which defenses have the best change of securing lighter penalties or getting charges dismissed. This is not something a lay person can often do.
DUI Attorneys and Options
The defendant or even a skilled family lawyer may not be aware of all the options available to those facing DUI charges. While the option to take a plea or go to court is generally known, there are often other options.
For instance, there are often programs that can lead to a reduced sentence or dismissal. Some defendants are eligible to complete alcohol or drug treatment counseling or programs, upon completion charges can be reduced or dismissed. This is an excellent option to consider.
An Experienced DUI Attorney Near Me?
Our criminal defense lawyers have lectured on DWI defense (also known as DUI in Virginia) to other lawyers, co-authored chapters in a leading Virginia treatise on DUI and serious traffic defense, and strive to be on the cutting edge of the law. We have handled hundreds of DWI cases, tried dozens of DWI cases to verdict, and obtained many not guilty verdicts and favorable negotiated settlements–often due to aggressive pretrial motion practice.