DUI defense is something that most people do not think about until they have already been charged with a DUI. Since any driver is at risk of being charged with a DUI any time they drive anywhere and whether or not they have been drinking, it is a good idea to know in advance what to do if you are charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.
The first thing that drivers should know is that if they are charged with driving under the influence, they should get help from a DUI defense attorney right away. Criminal charges like a DUI can have far-reaching effects on your day to day life for an extended period of time, even if you are not convicted. Your DUI defense attorney will help you understand the charges that have been brought against you. Perhaps even more importantly, they can explain the defenses that they may be able to use to get the charges dismissed or the penalties reduced. For example, your attorney may be able to speak with the prosecutor to pursue the offer of a plea bargain, or some other alternative to a trial. Once your attorney has an idea of which strategies they may be able to implement in your case, they can help you understand your options so that you can make an informed choice about what will work best for you.
First-time DUI defendants may wonder whether they must spend time and effort looking for a DUI defense attorney, or whether any criminal law attorney could help them just as well. Criminal defense attorneys certainly do their best to obtain the best possible results for their clients, but they do not all have experience with DUI cases. DUI defendants need their attorneys to understand all of the laws and all of the defenses that may be relevant to their cases.
Defendants should also know the difference between a public defender and private counsel. A public defender is an attorney who is paid by the state to provide legal assistance to defendants who cannot afford private attorneys. When a defendant has private counsel, it means that they are represented by an attorney that they selected and that they are paying for themselves. Unfortunately, public defenders have less control over their case load than private counsel do, and many have hundreds of clients. Because of this, they often have very little time to devote to each case.
Whether you are now facing your first DUI or a subsequent offense, you can give yourself the most successful defense by enlisting the aid of a Texas DUI defense attorney. Your attorney may be able to reduce or eliminate the consequences associated with the charges that you are facing. To learn how Texas DUI Defense Attorney Alex Tyra can help you, please call our office today, at (903) 753-7499. You may also reach us by submitting a convenient contact form on our website.
