If you were just charged with DUI (Driving Under the Influence), then the last thing you want to do is make any more mistakes. This article will explain what people often do wrong and what to remember to avoid those pitfalls.
- Mistake: Post to Social Media/Publicize to Friends.
Remember: “You have the right to remain silent.”
After getting a DUI, many people are fired up and furious. Many feel that they were treated unfairly by the police or that there were extenuating circumstances in their case. If you feel this way, you may be right, but you should exercise your right to remain silent even when you are not in custody. Your public social media accounts are not the right place to post details about your arrest or charge, because anything posted publicly could potentially be used against you as an admission. It is also a common mistake for people to tell friends or associates at work about the criminal charge. While it may be therapeutic to share the story, it is often better not to share this information with friends or co-workers, as news often travels fast and there may be professional repercussions to you. Remember, you are presumed innocent, so don’t let your own mouth get you into trouble before you have had your day in court.
- Mistake: Procrastinate.
Remember: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
Denial is real, and after getting a DUI many people want to forget about it and inadvertently lose track of details. Some throw the paperwork in a drawer. Others fail to find out when their administrative hearing is for the Driver’s License. Many will put finding an attorney on their mental task list, but not follow through in taking that step. The most important step you can take in your defense is the first one. As the old adage says, you eat an elephant one bite at a time. First, organize your paperwork. Next, identify important dates: When is your administrative hearing? When is your first court date? Third, decide on your legal defense: Are you going to request a public defender? Are you going to hire a private attorney?
- Mistake: Have Another Run-In With the Law.
Remember: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
So you have a DUI. It’s not good news, but it is manageable. Even if it’s not your first DUI, you need to remain calm and focus on the future, not the past. The most important step you can take is to keep your nose clean and stay out of trouble. The worst mistake you can make is to compound the DUI with subsequent criminal offenses. It’s common for people to have problems after the DUI, so expect this from yourself and prepare for it. Depression can push people back into an addiction cycle, where illegal drug use may be a problem. Enlist the help of family members and friends to avoid anything that could lead to criminal offenses: do not drink and drive, avoid situations that may erupt in domestic violence, beware of illegal drug use, do not drive if your license is suspended). This is how you avoid the “big things,” but there are other small things you can do. If you are a passenger, encourage the driver to obey traffic laws. Avoid situations or friend groups where illegal activities may be occurring, even if you aren’t participating. The bottom line here is do everything you can to avoid getting charged with another crime.
