About Me

The ABCs of Dealing With Domestic Violence

Domestic violence was a part of my family's life for years. When I made the decision to leave with my children, I had to rely on the law to provide the protection we needed. Sometimes, the system does not work as fast as we want. I soon learned that going at it alone without any guidance caused significant delays. I created this blog to help others who are seeking legal means to deal with an abusive ex. By making the right moves, it is possible to get the necessary protections in place so that you can also live a happier and healthier life.

Search

Latest Posts

The ABCs of Dealing With Domestic Violence

Tips For Those Facing A DUI Charge

by Gina Hill

When it comes to facing DUI charges, you probably want to get the case over with as quickly as possible. Nobody wants to have a charge like that hanging over their head. Unfortunately, in the interest of trying to resolve the case, you may inadvertently make some mistakes that can worsen your eventual case outcome. Here are some things that you need to consider to ensure that you don't damage your DUI case.

Be Careful What You Say

From the time you are charged to the time that your case is completed, you need to be attentive to what you are saying both publicly and to those who may interview you. Don't discuss your case with anyone other than your DUI lawyer because anything you say, whether it's on social media, over the phone, or even in phone calls from jail, can be used against you in court.

It doesn't do you any good to delete anything from your social media, either. If the prosecution already has copies of the deleted content or petitions for that information from the social media company, your action of deleting it might just be presented to the court as evidence tampering. 

Be Cautious Of Your Actions

From the time that you are arrested for that first DUI, you need to start being careful about your actions. The last thing your case needs is for you to face further charges, whether it's an additional DUI or something unrelated. Adding charges will reflect poorly on your personal reputation, leading to potentially less leniency from the judge when it is all said and done. Make sure that you are on your best behavior from the time of your arrest to avoid this potential problem.

Be Patient With The Case

In some situations, DUI cases can take a long time to resolve. The prosecution will sometimes try to use this to their advantage by seeking a guilty plea from the accused in an attempt to resolve the problem. Don't jump at a guilty plea in an effort to resolve the situation and not have it hanging out there anymore.

What many people don't realize is that case delays can actually work in your favor. Not only can they give you more time to collect information and defend your case, but these delays can also increase your chances of getting the case dismissed. 

The more time that passes between your charge and the court hearing, the greater the chances are that the officer might forget about some of the things that occurred. In addition, witnesses that support the charges may move, forget what they saw, or otherwise become inaccessible. All of these things can work in your favor, potentially leading to having your case dismissed due to a lack of evidence.

Don't Dismiss Alternative Resolutions

One of the first things you should do when charged with a DUI is to reach out to a DUI defense attorney to help you explore your options. Most states offer some alternative resolutions for DUI charges, including diversion programs, weekend jail options, and other resources that can allow you to settle your case without having to spend the next six months in jail.

In addition, if you are facing additional suspensions and charges because of a refusal to take the breathalyzer when you were pulled over, you might be able to eliminate the additional penalties by requesting the installation of an ignition interlock for a probation period instead. Some states are willing to consider things like this as alternatives.

Talk with a local DUI defense attorney today about your charges. He or she can help you understand what will help your case and what things you should avoid doing.

Share