DUI Lawyer

If you are on the fence about working with a lawyer and fighting against your DUI charges, it is a good time to re-think your situation. There are many people who do not understand the impact that a DUI will have on their lives or they may believe that they already have traffic tickets on their record and that a DUI will simply be another thing to add to their driving record. It is extremely important to understand that a DUI is not merely a traffic ticket and when you go to court you will not be treated as if you got a traffic ticket. Instead, you will be facing serious criminal offenses that could impact where you are now and impact you for the rest of your life. When this is the case, it is a prudent decision to seek help from a law firm to see what your options are.

What if this is my first offense?

Many people who have never had a DUI on their records believe that a first offense is not that big of a deal. In fact, they may have more confidence to go to court and try to fight against these charges on their own. Whether this is your first offense or your second or third, it is wise to work with a lawyer, like a DUI lawyer from a law firm like the Morales Law Firm. If you choose not to work with a lawyer, you are more likely to get misdemeanor charges that lead you to have:

•     Your vehicle impounded
•     Your licenses suspended
•     Your car insurance rates going up
•     To take alcohol-related driving courses
•     To switch careers or lose your job
•     To spend time in jail

These are just a few of the ways that a DUI can affect you. Long-term, there are many downsides to having a DUI on your record. If you are hoping to go back to school (or if you need to go back to school to switch careers because a DUI on your record got you fired), then you may quickly find out that some schools do not accept students with a DUI on their record or that you do not have the opportunity for financial aid.

Being charged with a DUI can be scary and not knowing whether your life will permanently change forever can make this situation even worse. This is why one of the best things you can do when you are charged with a DUI is reach out to a legal team you rely on. If you have any questions or would like to speak with a lawyer who specializes in DUI cases, reach out to a local law firm now.  

DWI Lawyer

Most people know that a DWI conviction can result in jail time and fines. However, the consequences of this conviction can affect your life long after you’ve served your sentence. Here are some of the hidden consequences of a DWI that you might not be aware about.

Difficulty Going to College

If you were looking to attend college to improve your career prospects, a DWI conviction could derail your plans. Colleges ask many questions on their applications and want to know about your work history, extracurricular activities and community involvement. Some schools may even conduct a criminal background check and reject students who have committed certain crimes.

Trouble Getting into the Military

Have you always wanted to serve your country by joining the military? Unfortunately, having a DWI conviction on your record could stand in your way. The military currently doesn’t individuals with DWI convictions. People with criminal records have difficulty obtaining security clearances and obtaining a license, which can make it difficult to serve in the armed forces. However, you may be able to get a DWI waived if it wasn’t a felony and nobody got injured.

Hurt Your Chances of Getting Child Custody

If you’re currently in the middle of a child custody battle with your ex-spouse, getting convicted of a DWI can make it more difficult to obtain custody. Your ex may argue that the conviction makes you an irresponsible parent. The family judge may frown upon the conviction and grant the other parent custody.

Lose Your Commercial Driving License

If you drive a commercial vehicle for a living, getting convicted of a DWI can impact your livelihood. The judge may suspend your CDL license, so you won’t be able to earn a living from that. You will have to get another type of job and reapply for your CDL license after you’ve completed your sentence.

Pay Higher Car Insurance Rates

With a DWI conviction on your record, you can expect your car insurance rates to go up significantly. Insurance companies consider those with DWI convictions high risk and charge them higher premiums to protect themselves.

Damage Personal Relationships

Some of your friends and family members may view you in a negative light after you get convicted of a DWI. They may start talking to you less frequently and stop inviting you to gatherings. This can be very hurtful.

If you’re facing a DWI charge, contact a DWI lawyer, like one from May Law, LLP.

If a law enforcement officer gives you a speeding ticket and tells you that you will have to appear in court, believe what he or she tells you. Many courts have what are called mandatory court appearances for various types of traffic offenses.

While speeding is not generally one of them, each state, county and municipality sets its own court rules. Your jurisdiction could be one of those that require you to make a court appearance for a speeding ticket. In all likelihood, the officer who gave you the ticket knew what he or she was talking about.

How to Tell if You Must Go to Court

As a drunk driving lawyer in New Jersey from a firm like Rispoli & Borneo P.C. can explain, the ticket itself should also indicate whether you must appear in court.

Check it carefully. Does it show a court location, date and time? Does it fail to state a fine amount? Both of these strongly imply that you must appear in court. Your ticket should also show a court phone number. When in doubt, always call the court to verify if, when and where you must appear.

Mandatory Court Appearances

In general, the following types of tickets require a court appearance:

• DUI
• Driving on a revoked or suspended license
• Driving without proper proof of insurance
• Any ticket issued as the result of your being involved in an accident

Failure to Appear

If you fail to appear in court when you’re supposed to, the judge may issue a bench warrant for your arrest. If this is the case, you now face a failure to appear charge in addition to the charge(s) listed on the ticket the officer gave you. It also means that police officers have the authority to arrest you whenever and wherever they find you. The most likely scenario is that they will pull you over and arrest you someday when you’re driving down the street, even if you’re not doing anything else illegal at the time.

Keep in mind that the court’s computer system is linked with those of the city, county, sheriff’s department(s) and other municipalities in the area. When the judge issues the bench warrant, this information goes into the computer system, along with your license plate number. Consequently, a great number of officers are on the lookout for you and your vehicle.

Contacting an Attorney

Even if your ticket lists a fine amount that you can pay online or by mail without going to court, you should not do this without first consulting a local traffic ticket lawyer. If you pay your ticket, it’s the same thing as pleading guilty to the charges – and that’s not always the truth.

Criminal Defense Attorneys

Reckless driving may seem like a broad concept. In general, the definition of reckless driving includes when a driver is aware that he or she is operating the vehicle in a dangerous way, but continues to do so anyways without regard for the safety of others. Reckless driving may also be referred to as “careless driving” or “dangerous driving”. If you are facing a reckless driving conviction, we recommend seeking the representation of an attorney for assistance.

Many people may not be fully knowledgeable about what constitutes as reckless driving behavior. In this article to follow, we have covered examples of reckless driving, potential repercussions, and how an attorney can be of help to you during your legal proceedings.

Most Common Examples of Reckless Driving

There are many different ways in which a driver may commit reckless driving. In all of these behaviors, the driver is putting themselves and others in potential danger. Which driving actions are considered reckless depends on the state you live in. Overall, the most common examples of such unlawful driving can include:

• Tailgating another vehicle
• Speeding 25 MPH over the listed speed limit
• Not using turn signals
• Running street signs or traffic signals
• Not yielding to the right of way of another car
• Driving while drunk behind the wheel
• Driving while distracted
• Passing a vehicle by using the opposite lane on a two-lane highway
• Trying to elude a police officer who pulled over the driver
• Racing another vehicle on the street

Possible Consequences

For those who have been accused of reckless driving, may be nervous for the kind of repercussions they may face if convicted. Depending on their state, the driver who committed reckless driving may either receive a misdemeanor criminal offense or misdemeanor traffic offense. Each comes with possible consequences, including:

• Financial penalties including fines of up to $2,500
• The driver’s license being suspended
• The driver having to serve jail time for a maximum of 1 year
• The driver facing a probationary term
• The driver now having a criminal record
• Reckless driving conviction staying on record for 3 years

Insurance Rate Increase

If you are convicted of reckless driving, your insurance company may increase your monthly car insurance rates. You are likely to be viewed as a riskier driver and can endure steep premiums for ensuring your vehicle. You may want to contact your current insurance company and be honest about what is happening. If you are convicted of reckless driving, it can come as less of a surprise to your agent.

Seeking a Legal Professional

A criminal defense lawyer Rockville, MD relies on can offer sound advice and aggressive strategy during your trial. We can fight for your rights and speak up on your behalf. You should appoint an attorney that has experience working for criminal defense. A reckless driving accusation is a very serious offense, which can impact your future for many years to come. We understand that you may be really concerned about the consequences that come along with such a conviction. Let us help.

 

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Thank you to our friends and contributors at The Law Office of Daniel J. Wright for their insight into reckless driving charges and criminal defense.

DUI Criminal Defense Attorneys

Despites all the best efforts to discourage drinking and driving, intoxicated drivers still pose a great risk on the roads in the United States. According to the CDC, 28% of all traffic related deaths in 2016 involved an alcohol-impaired driver. Since drinking and driving is such a frequent occurrence, there is a chance you’ll encounter a drunk driver at some point in your life, as a car accident lawyer trusts knows well. Each driver should know how to tell if you’re near a drunk driver and what to do about it.

How to Tell if You’re Near a Drunk Driver

It is important to know the signs of a drunk driver versus the signs of a distracted/tired/just bad driver. Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) have compiled lists of clues indicating that a driver may be drunk, including the following:

• Driving too slowly (10 or more mph below the posted speed limit)
• Wildly varying speed
• Making Abrupt or illegal turns
• Weaving/crossing lane lines, straddling lane lines
• Drifting in and out of traffic
• Signaling that doesn’t match driving actions
• Driving the wrong way
• Slow response at traffic signals
• Driving somewhere other than the road
• Forgetting to turn on headlights
• Tailgating
• Nearly colliding with objects, the curb, or other vehicles

If you notice two or more of the above clues, it can be an indication that the driver is intoxicated. To keep yourself, your passengers, and others safe, follow the steps below.

What to Do

1. Wear your seatbelt. Always.
2. Stay Safe. Get as far away from the drunk driver as possible. If you can get off the road, even better. DO NOT attempt to pass the vehicle, follow the vehicle, or confront the driver.
3. Gather Information. If possible, make note of the car’s following details:

• License plate number
• Make & Model
• Color
• Driver’s physical description

Do not place yourself or others in harm’s way to obtain this information. But if you can remember any of the above details, it may help the police locate the drunk driver quicker.

4. Call the Police. Provide the police with as much information as possible. In addition to the details listed above, let the police know the following:

• The street you are travelling on
• The direction you are travelling in
• The street the drunk driver is travelling on (if different from you)
• The direction the drunk driver is travelling in (if different from you)
• The intersection you are near
• The behavioral clues observed that make you suspect a drunk driver

From here on out, let the police handle the potentially intoxicated driver. Your priority should always be your safety and the safety of the passengers in your vehicle.

If you or a loved one have been injured by an intoxicated driver, consult with an attorney to see what your options are. 

 

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Everyone’s eyes are on you when you walk through those courtroom doors, start to finish. What you wear and how you choose to present yourself definitely matters, as a drug possession lawyer Arlington, TX trusts knows well. No matter what you are there for you want to show respect and that you are thanking the issue seriously. Dressing well can give you the step forward you may not have known you needed.

Keep it simple. Dressing well doesn’t mean a full-on suit and tie. A nice pair of slacks and a good looking dress shirt can go a long way. You want the judge and jury to see the best side of you possible. Showing up in jeans, and t-shirt could suggest that you are not serious about being there and make it difficult for you or your attorney represent you. In fact most courthouses will not let you in the courtroom if you appear in shorts. If you have tattoos keep them covered if you can. If you have piercings try to remember that less is more in a court situation, remove what you can especial face and neck piercings, gauges under zero should be removed larger than a zero skin toned gauges would be best.

        Although it might not seem like it needs to be said but being clean can also improve your court appearance. Take a shower the night or morning before your court date. Clean and iron your clothes. If you notice a stain on your shirt don’t wear it if you see it, they can too. If you can get your schedule a haircut before your court date, pick a nice and neatly groomed style. If you have long hair wear it up. Men should shave or trim your mustache and/or beards. Women should wear light and conservative make-up, and if you have polished nails wear a neutral color. It should go without saying but wear deodorant and if you know you perspire a lot bring a handkerchief to keep looking calm and confident.

        The thing to remember is that this is likely the first time the Judge and the jury are going to see you. First impressions mean everything in these situations if you are messy, casually dressed and not taking it seriously the judge and the jury will notice. What you are wearing cannot determine the overall outcome but, it can help your attorney present the best side of you. This and other factors can insure a better outcome than you might have otherwise received.    

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Thank you to our friends and contributors from Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC for their insight into hearings and lawsuits.