If you have been arrested for a DUI, then you will probably want to hire a criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can. You might not really think there is anything that a DUI lawyer can do to help you after you have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but you might be surprised by the many different things that a lawyer can do for you. These are just a few examples of some of the different ways that a criminal defense lawyer might be able to help you.
Helping You Post Bond
First of all, a criminal defense lawyer can often help you while you're still in jail after being arrested for a DUI. In some cases, those who have been arrested for a DUI are given rather high bonds. This could be the case for those who have an extensive criminal record or who have been arrested for multiple DUIs in the past, for example. However, even when a high bond amount is given, lawyers can sometimes fight to have bonds reduced. This can make it easier for you to get out of jail on bond.
Challenging How or Why You Were Stopped
Law enforcement officers are not allowed to pull you over for just any reason. Instead, they have to have probable cause to stop you in the first place. Your lawyer might ask questions about what led to you being stopped by a law enforcement officer, and if you were stopped for an invalid reason, then your lawyer might be able to use this information to help with fighting your case.
Challenging How You Were Tested
When you were arrested for a DUI, tests might have been done to determine whether or not you were intoxicated. You might have been given a breathalyzer test, for example, and you might have had to do a field sobriety test. Lawyers can sometimes argue that testing equipment was faulty or poorly maintained, or they can argue that the law enforcement officer did not have the proper training to perform the testing.
Challenging How You Were Arrested
Even if a law enforcement officer has probable cause to arrest you, they still have to respect your rights when doing so. If you weren't read your rights or if other mistakes were made when you were arrested, your lawyer might be able to use this information to help you fight your case.
For more information, contact a local criminal defense lawyer.
