DUI Attorney in Fresno Outlines the Legal Process for DUI

Unless you are stopped at a DUI checkpoint, the arresting law enforcement officer must have probable cause to pull you over. You may be subject to field sobriety tests and a breath test. If you are charged, you'll be taken to a police station. There you'll be formally charged and released or held until you can post bond. If you're kept in custody, your arraignment will take place within 72 hours. If you're not held in custody, you'll be told the date of your arraignment.

Your Arraignment

At the arraignment you are presented with the charges against you and will submit a plea. It is highly advisable that you contact a drunk drivinglawyer in Fresno prior to your arraignment. He or she may be able to appear on your behalf at your arraignment so that you don't have to miss work. If you don't show up for your arraignment, a bench warrant will be issued, and you will face more serious charges.

Pretrial Motions and Trial

If you hire a drunk driving lawyer in Fresno, he or she may submit motions for dismissal or other motions, and the prosecutor may offer a plea agreement. You need a lawyer to advise you about whether to take a plea agreement. If the case makes it to trial, your DUI attorney in Fresno will prepare a defense, and the judge will instruct the jury as to how to compare the evidence against the violations you're charged with.

Sentencing

If you are convicted on a misdemeanor DUI charge, you may not have to serve jail time. Your attorney can ask for alternative sentencing such as community service or probation. The top Fresno DUI lawyers make it their job to understand all the sentencing options available to you.

Hazards of Going through the Legal Process Alone

Without an experienced DUI lawyer, you could face penalties you could have avoided with solid legal counsel. Hiring a defense lawyer is the smartest choice for obtaining the best legal outcome and minimizing the disruption to your life that a DUI charge causes. Trying to do it alone almost always results in a less favorable outcome.