What to do when you get a DUI

1. You’ll be taken to jail for further evaluation.
2. You’ll see a judge.
3. You can ask to be released on your personal recognizance.
4. You need to ask for an attorney as soon as you get to the police station.

When you get a DUI

If you want to bone up on DUI facts, then you’ve come to the right place. Attorney Daniel Griffin has years of experience handling these types of cases and we will be able to supply you with all of the facts that you need when you book a consultation.

Today, we’d like to get the ball rolling by giving you some information about what happens when you get a DUI and what to do when you get a DUI. As you probably already know, DUI stands for driving under the influence and it’s a charge which happens when a person is arrested for driving drunk by the police. It usually follows a Breathalyzer test.

If you got one of these breath tests and failed, you were probably charged shortly afterwards. The best time to contact us is right after you’ve been charged. However, we’re happy to provide legal assistance anytime. For example, we help people who already have drunk driving convictions to get their criminal records expunged. If you need help with this, please reach out to our RI drunk driving lawyer today. We are a full-service law firm for DUI cases.

What Happens After a DUI

When you’re charged, a legal process begins. You’ll need an RI DUI attorney to help. A DUI is a serious matter. It’s not the type of thing that you should try to handle without legal representation. You will need a DUI attorney for your Arraignment, which is the first step in the court process. This is the time when you will have your charge(s) read out by a judge. Afterwards, you will need to enter your plea, whether it is guilty or not guilty. Once you’ve entered a plea, your lawyer will handle the rest.

So many issues come into play, from bail amounts and bail agreements to hardship hearings and beyond! There are several court appearances (at least three) involved and you’ll need superb legal counsel in order to wind your way through the legal system. A great lawyer, such as our drunk driving attorney, will be there to stand by your side and fight your corner.

In some cases, it’s possible to get charges reduced or thrown out. For example, our lawyer may be able to accept a plea bargain from the prosecution (typically, the district attorney) and then try to get your charges reduced. Quite often, the prosecution will offer a plea bargain, especially if the plaintiff’s counsel has done a good job building a defense. Our lawyer will do a good job for you!

Punishment for these offenses vary. Fines, short jail stays and driving bans are examples. The ramifications of a DUI conviction tend to be long-lasting, unless a lawyer is able to have a drunk driving conviction expunged from the record.

Why You Need Attorney Griffin

Did you know that it’s harder to rent some places and harder to get some jobs when you’ve been convicted of a DUI? Also, did you know that insurance rates for car insurance go way up when you have a DUI conviction on your record?

Basically, there’s no advantage to having a DUI conviction. It’s a negative thing and it may feel like your DUI follows you around like a long, dark shadow for the rest of your life, unless you get the conviction expunged from your record.

Naturally, the best course of action is hiring an excellent lawyer right after you’ve been charged. If you can avoid the conviction in the first place, you’ll avoid all of the problems that come with it, including having a black mark on your driving record for years!

Are You Ready for Court?

At your arraignment, you’ll simply need to enter a plea for the judge. You’ll know your plea in advance, so you won’t need to say much. It’s a quick and simple process. Your participation will be minor. Your lawyer will handle the other details.

You may need to interact more with the judge later on, as the process unfolds. Your lawyer will be able to tell you what’s going to happen before it happens. While there are never any guarantees with DUI cases, as each case is different, Attorney Griffin has seen tons of these cases. He knows what to expect and he’ll be able to predict certain things based on his years of experience and knowledge.

Dan has seen both sides of the court as a prosecutor and RI DUI lawyer. You’ll find that choosing him is the key to having more peace of mind in court and out of court, until your legal matter is resolved.

As well, if you want an existing record expunged, you’ll find that Attorney Griffin is a fine choice. While there are variables and getting a record for a DUI expunged isn’t always possible, Rhode Island does permit expungements as long as plaintiffs meet certain criteria. When you get your record expunged with the help of Daniel Griffin, you’ll be one step closer to a brighter future.

A DUI isn’t the end of the world. However, it’s not much fun, either. It can have long-term consequences and even alter the course of your future life. A strong defense is your best defense against the problems associated with DUI convictions, from fines to jail time to loss of your license to trouble renting an apartment to getting a new job.

Arrange for a Consultation Today

We believe that you need expert legal counsel in order to cope with the challenges ahead. We also believe that we are the right law firm for you. If you want assistance, please contact us. We’ll set up a consultation which allows you to share your story with your DUI lawyer. Then, Dan will look at the facts and circumstances of your DUI case and provide you with a legal strategy.