Driving under the influence is a serious offense that can result in a misdemeanor or felony. You also endanger your life and the lives of others on the road when you drive under the influence. According to Insurancepedia, when you have a BAC of 0.08, you're legally impaired by alcohol and can be charged with drunk driving if pulled over. Here are ways DUI attorneys can help you when facing such a charge.

1. Legal Expertise

DUI laws can change from state to state. Luckily, your experienced DUI attorneys can keep you up to date with any recent updates that can work for or against you. They can give you solid advice on the potential outcome of your case. Some lawyers provide a free consultation to see if you're a good match. Plus, the consultation is a good time to get a feel about how much experience they have and how much they can help you. From there, they can give you a realistic outlook of the potential outcome and decide to take it on. Once they decide to represent you, they'll continue to give you advice on how these laws work, how to present yourself in court, and so on.

2. Court Representation

One of the biggest mistakes people can make is trying to represent themselves in court. While you can legally do so, it's not a good idea. After all, you're not a lawyer, so you don't understand all the laws. Plus, you likely won't have a chance against a prosecutor. You should always have someone who will represent you in the court system. Lawyers can fight for your rights and speak on your behalf against the experienced prosecutor. They can also speak directly to the judge and present your case in a favorable light from the legal perspective.

3. Advise on Plea Deals

When on trial, you will have different plea options. The type of plea you offer can affect how the ruling goes and the time you may need to serve if found guilty. Your lawyer will look at the facts of your case and how other potential cases have been ruled. Therefore, they can advise if you should plead guilty or not. In some cases, they may recommend a plea bargain, which could reduce your sentence to something lighter, like community service.

4. Potential for Leniency

If you're guilty of a DUI, there is typically little point in declaring innocence. However, just because you're guilty, doesn't mean your lawyer can't get you a lighter sentence. If this was your first DUI or you didn't hurt anybody through an accident, you have a much better chance at leniency from the judge. In other words, it can be the difference between serving community service and a few months in jail versus several years in prison. In some cases, you may have to pay a fine or have your license suspended. You also have a better chance of keeping your license when your lawyer can get leniency from a judge.

5. License Maintenance

As mentioned, if you have enough DUIs, you may lose your license. A judge can rule to have your license temporarily suspended for a few months or a year, or you can permanently lose it. If the judge is leaning toward the harsher licensed suspension, a DUI attorney can help you maintain that. One way they help you is by recommending a DUI program or other treatment. They may also plead you need your vehicle for work or family. It may also help you if the judge lets you drive by using a wheel-attached breathalyzer as opposed to taking your license away.

6. Reliable Witnesses

One of the benefits of having DUI attorneys on the case is their access to everything that can help a trial. They can call witnesses on your behalf and gather street footage. Videos and witnesses can prove that the outcome isn't what authorities said it was. Calling witnesses and finding evidence can help reduce charges or even have the charges thrown out. In other words, it can help save your reputation.

As summer comes, more people will enjoy parties and happy hours with family and friends. If you're one of those people, don't risk getting a DUI. However, if you get pulled over, legal assistance is available from our team. When you choose us to represent you, you have a firm with experience and membership in several associations. Call the Law Offices of Jason Pollack, Esq any time, 24 hours a day, for a free consultation.