Being charged with driving under the influence comes with a very serious decision, whether or not you should hire a DUI attorney. Some people have the notion that they can defend themselves against the charges and win. While this will happen on occasion, it is a very spectacular occasion, rather than the rule.
A DUI charge is a very serious matter, and a DUI conviction is even more serious still. The implications and penalties that come with being charged of a DUI can follow you for the rest of your life. If you’ve been charged with a DUI and are considering whether or not you should hire an attorney, here are some reason as to why you should never try to defend your own case.
Courtroom trials are never like they are on TV
With the number of criminal and courtroom dramas on television, there are people out there that believe it’s similar to a real life application. Watching a show on television, no matter how frequently, will never give you the experience necessarily to present and defend your own case.
Understanding Courtroom Procedure
Understanding how to speak and carry yourself in a courtroom can make a huge difference when it comes to the success of being found not guilty. Most people simply don’t have the training, let alone the ability, to handle speaking in a courtroom, much less presenting their own defense.
Unable to Defend their Case
While a cursory glance at the internet might be able to give you the concept as to why a breathalyzer test might be wrong, it doesn’t give you the necessary information as to how to defend it. Having an experienced DUI defense attorney present your defense will not only be able to explain why a breathalyzer test was faulty, but provide evidence to it as well.
Lack of Expert Testimony
Often times when defending a case, a defense attorney will call upon both medical and scientific experts to present and testify on your behalf. These experts have the training necessary to explain why the charges against you are false, or explain how a medical condition led to you to being unable to perform a test as required. These experts come at a significant cost, which is why you should have an attorney represent you.
Finding a Viable Defense
One of the main points of having a DUI defense attorney is finding the most viable defense strategy for your particular case. These defense attorneys are trained to seek out and employ various strategies and defenses that most people don’t have the training to recognize, let alone present and defend.
These are only some of the reasons as to why you should never try to defend yourself during a DUI case. Most importantly, being convicted of a DUI will affect you for the rest of your life. Not only will you have to pay fines and have your driving privileges suspended for a considerable length of time, but you could also be facing jail time as well. If the expense of hiring an attorney is what is making you consider representing yourself then look at it as an investment towards protecting your future.
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+Andrew is one of the leading DUI and criminal defense attorneys in both the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia. He blogs about Maryland DUI law, has numerous videos on the subject and has been asked to appear on national television to offer his legal opinion on high-profile criminal cases.