DUI

During any given year, roughly 1.5 million people are arrested for drunk driving. But if you’ve been arrested for a DUI, particularly if it’s your first offense, you may be wondering whether or not you actually need help from a DUI lawyer.

Technically speaking, you can represent yourself in a court of law. The real question is whether you should. Hiring a DUI defense attorney may sound like a serious step, but that’s because this crime can have serious consequences.

The Risks of Not Having a DUI Defense Attorney

Even if this is your first time being arrested, you could face major penalties for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Don’t assume that you can simply get these charges dismissed or negotiated to a lesser charge without help from a DUI attorney. If you don’t have detailed knowledge about how the law works, crafting that kind of defense will most likely be impossible.

As a result, you could be facing the harshest penalties allowed under the law for your DUI case. That means you could end up paying fines, losing your license, installing an ignition interlock device, being forced to take substance abuse classes, or even face jail time as a result of your mistake. If your DUI resulted in property damage or the injury of other drivers, the consequences could be even harsher. While your DUI attorney might be able to provide evidence in support of your defense or use their knowledge of the legal system to lessen these penalties, you won’t have the benefit of their experience if you choose to represent yourself. In other words, the outcome might not be very favorable if you choose to go this route.

Keep in mind that the consequences of an arrest don’t necessarily end once the case has been resolved. In certain situations, you might face hardship when interviewing for a job or trying to find housing. While you don’t have to disclose non-felony crimes and it’s not legal to discriminate against anyone with a substance abuse issue, that doesn’t mean your DUI won’t continue to impact you in the future. Your DUI defense attorney may not be able to make the charges against you disappear completely, but they can often mitigate the outcome in order to minimize the chance that one mistake will continue to haunt you for a lifetime.

Working With a DUI Attorney Knoxville Residents Trust

While the details of your particular case may not point to these overwhelmingly negative outcomes, it’s important not to take a chance when it comes to your freedom or your ability to provide for yourself and your family. Although your DUI arrest may have occurred due to a simple mistake, the law takes these crimes very seriously. It’s essential to have help from an experienced lawyer if you’re facing legal action after a drunk driving incident. For more information or to schedule a consultation with our team, please contact us today.