Unfortunately, my son got caught up with the wrong group of kids over the last summer. It was not until the police officers brought him home that I learned of what he and his new group of friends were up to. I knew at that moment that I was going to need a lawyer to help me help him through the situation. My lawyer was so helpful in many ways. By the time we worked our way through the legal process, my son was able to walk away without any charges that could threaten his future. Visit my site to learn what can be done for a troubled teen to get him or her back on the right track.
One of the common consequences of getting a DUI charge is losing your license. However, for first time offenders, it's sometimes possible to sidestep this issue. Here are some tips to help you keep your license when you face a DUI trial.
First: Hire a DUI Attorney
The first thing to do is to hire an experienced DUI attorney to review your case. With a complicated case such as a plea to keep your license, an attorney's help is necessary for putting together a strong case. Your attorney will advise you on the best option to follow based on your life circumstances and the evidence against you. Here are three common routes that your attorney may advise.
Option 1: Plea for Hardship Driver's License
The first option is to admit to the charges against you and ask for a hardship driver's license. Although this won't give you a fully functional driver's license, this is a permit that will allow you to drive on a suspended license for certain circumstances. For instance, you may be permitted to drive to work or school, or to drive your children to school. In order to get this type of permit, you will need to show that your family doesn't have other viable transportation options or that your revoked license will cause problems for your childcare.
Option 2: Ignition Lock
An ignition lock is another option if you want to retain full control of your driver's license. The ignition lock is a device that is placed on your ignition so that you need to take a breathalyzer test before starting the ignition, you'll also need to blow at random intervals while you're driving. The device will be checked on a monthly basis to make sure that you're not taking advantage of the system. Since successfully arguing to keep your driver's license with an ignition lock is not a given, your lawyer will need to help you document a responsible background and show that you're diligently trying to correct your drinking.
Option 3: Complete Denial of Charges
If neither of the options above work for you, the other possibility is to try denying the charges altogether. Much of the evidence presented in court is circumstantial; for instance, a breathalyzer test isn't always completely accurate, especially if you were just over the legal limit. While this option can be risky, it's also sometimes worth it if the evidence against you is minor.
For more information about DUI cases, contact a firm like the Law Offices of Daniel Aaronson.
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