Have you ever been arrested before? If not then you’ll probably be scared about the prospect of what is happening to you if you have been pulled over and arrested for a DUI. But try to relax.
Driving under the influence is never a good idea but if you have been arrested for this offense there are some steps you can take to ensure you get the best outcome for you in terms of sentencing.
If you want to know more about DUI charges, here’s everything you need to know.
1. Hang on to Paperwork
It’s easy when you’ve been charged with a serious offense to freak out. You might be hyperventilating or not really aware of what’s going on. But you must hang on to any paperwork the police hand you. This is important in case you require it at a later.
You must also try and keep a record of everything that happens to you. This means you can present an unvarnished and great account in court.
Listen to everything you are told and try to retain it. If you get a great lawyer they will be able to find loopholes to help you get out of the court but only if you can remember all the details of your arrest and interview including if it was a misdemeanor DUI or something more serious.
2. Show Up for Court
This might sound obvious but it’s important. If you fail to show up to court then there’s no chance of you winning the case. The jury or the judge will assume that you are arrogant and aren’t interested in showing respect to the legal process.
You should put on your best suit and show up to court. State your case with confidence. Try to maintain eye contact with the jury and the judge and engage with the process. Show the correct respect and decorum for procedures.
Don’t be late. This can also count against you.
3. Tell the Truth
Telling the truth is important in our everyday lives but it’s especially important in court procedures. There is a reason perjury and contempt of court all have harsh penalties; the court system is designed to incentivise telling the truth. This is part of the DUI process.
This might be hard if you think that the truth is going to land you in a heap of legal trouble but try to avoid these voices. If you tell a lie it’s very easy for you to get caught out and the consequences could be severe.
There could be evidence you might not be aware of such as CCTV that you didn’t see or witnesses coming forward at the last moment that witnessed your accident.
4. Get Car Insurance
Be sure to get car insurance. Even if you are not charged with a DUI, the police could discover your lack of insurance if you are pulled over and this could land you in trouble.
If you are worried about being pulled over or you have been pulled over once for a DUI you should aim to get car insurance as fast as possible.
If you have committed a DUI then a lack of insurance could cause you a host of extra problems. As well as the criminal charges you could also have to pay additional costs to cover any damage to other cars that you committed whilst behind the wheel with alcohol in your system.
If you’re looking for a great deal on insurance be sure to check out floridafr44insurance.net who should be able to help you.
5. Never Get Violent or Angry
Getting angry or violet could also lead to further charges. You will no doubt be shocked when you are first arrested but you need to remain calm and respond to this in the right way.
If you react violently then the officers could arrest you for assault charges. Remember that the police officers are only human. It’s their job to arrest you for a crime. If you act civilly they are likely to want to help you. This could also be noted in a statement to the judge.
Try to avoid swear words. You wouldn’t like it if members of the public decided to swear at you during your job.
Remember that restraining yourself also applies to your court appearance as well. You may have a judge that you don’t think cares about your case or you but they are ultimately in charge of proceedings. You would do well to get them on side rather than to aggravate them.
While some people go to jail others get a sentence as light has having to have an interlocker installed in their car, something that research suggests should be mandatory.
6. Accept Your Fate
Remember to accept your fate. If you committed the crime then you should be prepared to do the time, even if you are a celebrity like Tiger Woods. But that doesn’t mean that there is no redemption for you. Learn the lessons of your DUI. Why did you commit it in the first place? What can you do to stop yourself committing the same offence again?
Perhaps you have drink problem that you need some help with and checking yourself in for rehab might be a great idea. Or maybe you should start saving so that you can afford taxis at night rather than trying to drive yourself back home.
Dealing With a DUI Can be Hard: Play It Cool
The worst thing you can do if you have a DUI is to get angry and frustrated about the situation.
Once you’ve committed the offense there is no going back. But you can choose to remain calm so that you can lessen your chances of getting a stricter sentence. If you are interested in learning more about how to deal with a DUI or your first time being charged then be sure to check out the rest of our site.