If you get arrested for driving under the influence, you’ll likely be taken to police headquarters where you will be booked. You’ll have your mugshot taken and be put in a cell (sometimes people call this a “drunk tank”.) How long you are required to stay varies among locations, the type of physical damage, whether or not someone can pick you up, and your bail amount.
Depending on your case, you may be released on bail or released on your own recognizance once you are sober. You will have been issued a citation that includes your court date and specific charges.
Your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles will be notified of your arrest and will automatically suspend your driver’s license if you don’t contact the DMV right away. In most states, a DUI arrest triggers two cases. One is with the criminal court and the other is known as an administrative hearing and this is with the DMV. The DMV hearing determines whether or not your license will be suspended.
As previously mentioned, if you do not contact the DMV and schedule this hearing right away, you will lose your driver’s license regardless of the outcome of your case. In most states, your license will get suspended within ten days of your arrest if you don’t schedule your administrative hearing. If you hire a defense attorney, he or she can assist you with this process.
This leads us to our next step.
After a DUI arrest, it is very important to hire an experienced attorney who specializes in DUI laws. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better the chance of maintaining your driving privileges and being able to avoid having a criminal conviction on your record.
On your citation, you will see your court date. It is very important to appear at the designated time or else the judge can issue a warrant for your arrest. It is equally important if you want your DUI charges to be reduced or even dropped, to head into court with an experienced attorney on your side.
When you contact an attorney, obviously, you will speak with them before your court date. However, this is an important part of the process as an attorney will help you understand what to expect and how he or she can assist you in fighting your case.
With the help of a DUI attorney, this process will be a whole lot easier for you, and you improve your chances of avoiding a criminal conviction on your record. With everything you have at stake, you deserve a skilled attorney who specializes in DUI laws. If you have yet to find an attorney, let 1 800 DUI Laws help you! Fill out this form and be put in touch with an experienced DUI attorney!
