Driving under the influence of alcohol is considered a serious crime in Mechanicsburg, PA. Depending on your blood alcohol content and whether you are a repeat offender, you might spend months or even years in jail and have to pay a significant fine. By hiring top DUI lawyers, you are increasing your chances of a reduction or dismissal of your case.
Lawyers have the necessary experience to prove your innocence, and they know expert witnesses, such as doctors, who can testify on your behalf. What’s more, they will make sure the necessary paperwork is completed correctly and help you avoid common mistakes that could slow down your case. Today, we’ll have a closer look at why you should hire a reputable DUI attorney and how they can help you minimize or eliminate your penalties.
7 Big Benefits of Working With Top DUI Lawyers in Mechanicsburg, PA
1. They Can Identify Breaches of Conduct
Getting pulled over is considered a seizure of your person, and it involves the temporary loss of your freedom, since you cannot leave until the police officer ends the investigation. This is only legal if you are at a DUI checkpoint that was advertised in advance or if you commit a crime or code violation. For instance, the police can pull you over if you have expired tags or wrongly tinted windows.
During the investigation, the officer is only allowed to hold you as long as it takes to issue a ticket for the moving infraction or, in the case of a DUI checkpoint, to figure out whether you are likely to be under the influence. Unless there is reasonable cause for them to believe that you have a BAC over 0.08%, they have to let you go. Your lawyer can examine the evidence and figure out whether the police upheld all the relevant laws.
2. They Can Argue that Your Blood Alcohol Test Was Inaccurate
If there are signs that you are DUI, such as the smell of alcohol in your car, the police will ask you to complete a test that measures how much alcohol is in your blood. This later determines the kind of penalties you face. If you had a blood alcohol content of 0.08-0.099%, your penalty may be small, especially if you are a first-time offender. However, if the BAC is more than 0.16%, you are likely to have to go to jail and pay a high fee.
But the device and method used to test aren’t always accurate, and your lawyer might argue that there was a false positive or that the lab where the chemical test results were processed made a mistake. It’s also important to remember that certain diseases can result in a measurement that is too high.
3. They Can Prevent or Minimize Your Penalties
The ideal outcome of your work with top DUI lawyers in Mechanicsburg, PA is a complete dismissal of your case. As discussed, this could be achieved by arguing that the police didn’t follow protocol or that your blood alcohol test was inaccurate. At your initial consultation, your attorney will ask you about your background and discuss what happened during your arrest, so they can figure out whether demanding a dismissal is viable.
If not, the attorney will attempt to minimize the charges you face. They will help you gather evidence that your misconduct was a one-off issue and that you are unlikely to repeat it. For first-time offenders, it should be relatively easy to minimize the penalties, but if you’ve been arrested for DUI multiple times, it might take longer to find the necessary proof.
4. They Will Call on their Contacts to Help
Often, the evidence you already have must be supplemented by testimonies. For instance, a doctor or specialist may need to prove that the condition you suffer from often causes false-positive BAC results. If you were to fight for your rights on your own, you might have a hard time finding expert witnesses who can prove such claims.
But when working with a highly experienced attorney, you automatically gain access to the best witnesses in the area. Your lawyer will decide how to lay out your case, then get in touch with the people who are most likely to provide relevant testimony.
5. They Help You Avoid Mistakes
Being arrested for driving under the influence is a serious matter, and it’s important that you avoid any mistakes that could put your case at risk. This includes filing paperwork late or failing to complete it correctly, arriving late at your hearings, or saying things in court that make you appear in a negative light.
Your attorney has worked on similar cases before, so they will know exactly what to do and how to act to avoid any problems. This gives you a greater chance of receiving the desired outcome, but it also prevents delays in the processing of your case. That way, you may get an earlier court date and be able to move on faster.
6. They Save You a Lot of Money
Some people believe that skipping the lawyer and defending themselves during their DUI case can save them money. But in fact, the opposite is almost always true. A court case is expensive, and depending on the severity of your situation, you could face a hefty penalty. In many cases, you will also have to pay for mandatory highway safety and drug counseling if you are found guilty.
What’s more, there are hidden costs associated with being convicted. If you lose your license, you might have to pay for alternate transportation for several months, and if you go to jail, you could lose your job. With the help of your attorney, you can avoid many of these negative consequences, which ultimately saves you a lot of money and helps you keep your professional reputation intact.
7. They Accompany You to Court
An arrest and conviction are stressful and frightening events, especially if you have to appear in court. You may worry that you will say the wrong thing and therefore put yourself at risk. But by working with a highly qualified attorney, you can make sure the hearing goes smoothly. They will be with you the whole time and speak for you whenever necessary. This reduces the stress you feel and allows you to appear to your advantage in court.
Work With a Top DUI Attorney
If you’ve been convicted of driving under the influence in Mechanicsburg, PA, you should book an initial consultation with top DUI lawyers in your area. They will help you put together enough evidence so that your case can either be dismissed entirely or your penalties can be minimized. Throughout the process, they will also make sure you adhere to all the rules and regulations to avoid any delays or complications.
Choosing the best DUI attorneys is easy because you can find most of the relevant information on local law firms’ websites. Once you have identified someone who specializes in these types of cases and has a good track record, you can get in touch and ask them for a meeting. Call us now at Jameson Stone Law to find out more about what we do and speak to our top lawyers, Ethan Stone or Daniel R. Jameson.
