Often, a person who is arrested and charged with a DUI will wonder if they should spend the money on a DUI Lawyer in Charleston or just accept the charges, plead guilty, and see what they are sentenced to. Even if a person knows they were drinking a driving, it’s often not a good idea for them to simply plead guilty. There may be ways a lawyer can help them even when the evidence is against them.
Dismissing the Charges
When a person is arrested, they’ll need to submit to a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) test. This means they’re going to have to use a device, usually a breathalyzer, that will tell the officer exactly how much alcohol is in their system. A reading of over .08 is going to mean they’re arrested and charged with a DUI. However, these results are not always accurate and a person could receive a .08 reading even if their BAC is far less. A DUI Lawyer in Charleston may be able to show that the equipment wasn’t properly calibrated or used and the charges may be dismissed due to a lack of evidence.
Lowering the Penalties
Even if there is no way for the charges to be dismissed, there is still a lot the DUI Lawyer in Charleston can do. The potential penalties for a DUI are severe. A person who is charged with their first offense faces up to six months in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, a license suspension of up to 45 days and the possibility of an IID (Interlock Ignition Device) being required for their vehicle when they can drive again. Working with a lawyer can help a person minimize these penalties if they are convicted.
If you have been arrested and charged with a DUI, make sure you contact a DUI Lawyer in Charleston as soon as possible. It’s always better to hire a DUI attorney, even if you’re found guilty, than to take the chances with the court alone. Without help, a person is more likely to be found guilty and receive the maximum sentence. Contact a lawyer today to see how they can help you and if it’s possible for your charges to be dismissed.
