3 Things To Consider When Facing Drunk Driving Charges
If you are facing drunk driving charges, you need to hire an attorney right away to represent your best interest. Here are a few things that you need to consider at you approach your charges.
#1 Respect The Restrictions
Oftentimes when you are charged with drunk driving, restrictions are placed on your license. Generally, these restrictions prevent you from driving for a certain period of time. It is important that you respect these restrictions. Getting caught driving with a suspended license can have some serious consequences. Arrange for rides to work, school and the store. Contact an attorney and see if they can get you limited driving privileges so that you at least go to work and the grocery store while your sentencing is playing out.
#2 Take Responsibility
The second thing that you need to do is take responsibility for what happened. If you were actually drinking, going to an alcohol treatment program is a great way to show that you are dedicated to making changes. You don't have to give up drinking forever; however, you need to show that you are working on establishing a more healthy relationship with alcohol and you are aware that your actions were not safe or smart. Documenting your attendance in an alcohol treatment program is a great way to show to the courts that you are making changes.
#3 Plead Down
If this is your first offense, and you have a clean driving record, work with your attorney to see if you can plead guilty to lesser charges. If you accept responsibility for what happened and admit your guilt, your criminal defense attorney may be able to get the charges dropped down. This can lower the seriousness of the consequences that you have to face. It can also decrease the damage that is done to the points on your license and it can help decrease the rate increases you'll face from your insurance company. A drunk driving conviction can really raise your insurance rates, whereas the impact of lesser charges will still hurt, however, they should not be as large as they would be with a more serious conviction.
Finally, it is important to take the entire process seriously. Hire an attorney to get your driving privileges back and to get your charges pleaded down. If you really do have a drinking issue, use these charges as a call to action to change your life so you don't find yourself in the same position again. If you end up in court again, facing drunk driving charges, the court system is less likely to be as forgiving and the consequences can be even greater.