Dealing with a drunk driving case is a serious matter. It is important to review the charges against you to determine the severity of your case. Talking to a Vacaville DWI attorney is an important thing to do as you want to focus on staying out of jail, and hopefully keeping your fine low.
Dealing with an attorney has a number of benefits as they are used to the local court system and will be able to help reduce the charges. Their ability to navigate the complex DWI process will have a large impact on the outcome of your case. Here are just a few of the things you can expect when you hire a good attorney.
Pleading Guilty?
There are some people that choose to plead guilty without consulting with an attorney. This can cause you to take a deal that might not be the best option. If this is your first DWI case, pleading guilty might be the best option to avoid jail time. Individuals that have a high BAC level are at-risk for jail time and serious charges.
If the officer will take the stand to testify against you, pleading guilty is usually the best choice as they can show how you were driving recklessly. Talking to an attorney is the best way to find out what your options are, and if pleading guilty is the smartest choice. If you were intoxicated and driving with a minor in the car, the charges against you will be severe.
An attorney can negotiate a plea deal with the judge that is reasonable instead of having the maximum sentence. The judge in your case is another reason why it pays to hire an attorney. Most judges will hand down similar sentences for their cases. This is important to understand as you want to try and get a judge that usually shifts more toward the lenient side.
Bargaining
Do you have the right skills needed to bargain for a lesser sentence? Most lawyers are trained to debate, and they know how to bargain well. They can get your charges reduced to a lesser sentence, such as reckless driving over a DUI. For cases where an individual has a BAC that is over .15, you want to have an attorney on your side.
They will work hard to try and lessen the charges so you aren’t going to have to serve prison time, or get hit with a large fee. Trying to negotiate without an attorney is risky, especially since the judge may not truly listen to what you have to say. With an attorney, they are likely to listen to what they have to say and will take it into consideration before handing down their sentence.
Hiring an Attorney
If this is not your first case, hire an attorney. Second offenders are often hit harder with sentences from the judge as they feel they may have been too lenient with you in the past. An attorney will understand that the judge is not going to go easy on you, so they work hard to try and limit how extreme the ruling can be.
You should talk to your attorney about your case, and what you can afford. If you are struggling to meet the payments for their fees, negotiate a payment plan with them. A good Vacaville DWI will work hard to fight for your legal rights and limit the punishment you will face for DWI charges.
