We all make mistakes. These mistakes include driving under influence (DUI). Every state has strict DUI laws in place, with severe and life-changing penalties you’ll have to face. – A DUI Charge
Whether you admit to being under the influence while driving or other factors are at play, and you feel unfairly charged, getting a DUI can be a distressing experience.
You’ll be brought to detention immediately, placed in a police car, and spend some time in police custody. However, how you will handle the moments following a DUI charge can make all the difference. This article shares the necessary steps you need to take when dealing with a DUI charge.
- Don’t Speak With The Police
If you’re pulled over under the suspicion that you’re driving while intoxicated, the most critical thing you need to remember is never to speak or answer any questions.
You’re not required to answer any incriminating questions from the police officer. Instead, you need to remain polite and inform them that you’d rather speak with your attorney before answering their questions.
The moment they conduct a sobriety test and the result shows that you are intoxicated, they’ll charge you right away. They’ll recite your Miranda rights as you’ve heard from every police movie you’ve seen, and they don’t say those words around for no reason. Anything you say during your charge will be used against you as evidence in court.
Accept that there’s no talking your way out of it once you’re charged with a DUI. So, you should stay silent, don’t try to make excuses, and cooperate with the police.

- Get An Attorney
Getting a DUI ticket is a scary experience, and you’ll need an expert to guide you through this. A dependable attorney from a specialized law firm can help you throughout the process. You may go here to learn how they can help you handle your DUI case.
An experienced lawyer has handled cases like yours several times in the past. Thus, they know the ins and outs of handling DUI charges, what issues to look out for, and the strategies they need to employ.
Some people may tell you that you don’t need to hire a DUI lawyer. Most DUI cases are short, so a judge may only focus on your blood-alcohol content as enough evidence to convict you; thus, a DUI lawyer may seem like an added expense.
However, there are specific circumstances where a lawyer is valuable. If you want to plead not guilty in your court hearing, a lawyer can help build a case for your innocence. This may happen if you think the breathalyzer was faulty or that you may be suffering from a health condition like auto-brewery syndrome that causes you to test positive for intoxication.
Even if you plead guilty, a lawyer can guide you through the process so that things go as smoothly as possible and help you get back to your normal life quickly.
- Get A Ride Home
You’ll go straight to the police station in a patrol car once you’re charged with DUI. Meanwhile, your car will be towed at your expense. The police will process you, so you’ll have to spend hours or even days in the police station.
Most police stations will allow an immediate release after you’ve been charged, as long as someone pays your bail and pick you up at the station. However, others will require you to stay in jail until you sober up.
Regardless of what situation you find yourself in, ensure you ask someone to pick you up or find a ride home. Your license will be suspended immediately after a DUI charge, so you don’t want to risk driving home and adding another charge to your case.
- Prepare For Your Court Appearance
You’re expected to appear in court on a set date after you’ve been charged and released. You and your attorney need to prepare for this date. Depending on how you plan to plead, there will be different things you need to prepare.
If you’re pleading guilty, make sure to look your best and bring the paperwork requested from you.
However, if you’re pleading not guilty, you and your attorney need to prepare more than usual. This might include getting testimonials from people who accompanied you that day, recording your recollections of what happened, medical certificate if you have a condition that can invalidate the breathalyzer result, and others.
As your attorney builds a case for you, ensure you stay out of trouble in the time leading up to your court date. This can put you in a bad light and won’t help your case.
Takeaway
If you’re currently facing a DUI charge, you need to take your next steps seriously. Getting charged with a DUI can be frustrating, but you can mitigate the damage it can do to your life with a proper course of action.