Many people who are arrested and charged with DUI believe that there is nothing they can do to fight these serious charges. They erroneously believe that they “must” be guilty because they failed the Breathalyzer test or field sobriety test. This is far from the truth. Even first time DUI offenders can fight these charges. In fact, hiring a DUI defense attorney may be the best decision you make. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, your attorney may be able to have the charges reduced to a wet reckless or have them dismissed all together.
There are situations when first time DUI offenders absolutely need to hire a DUI attorney, such as:
- There were minor children in the car
- You refused to submit to a BAC test
- Your BAC was over .08, especially when it exceeds .20
- You were involved in an accident
- Someone was injured due to your DUI
- You were driving carelessly at the time
In the above situations, having a DUI defense attorney on your side is a MUST. Your attorney will need to prepare your case as if it is going to trial and work even harder to have the charges reduced or dismissed. Remember, even first time DUI offenders can be sentenced to jail time - especially if another person was injured or your BAC results were extraordinarily above the legal limit.
There are numerous defenses your Oakland DUI defense attorney can use to question the charges against you. As such, never admit to drinking and driving and never attempt to handle your own DUI case without first speaking to an experienced DUI defense lawyer.
Understanding Your 5th Amendment Rights
Your 5th Amendment Rights are important and prevent you from incriminating yourself. If you find yourself facing DUI charges or an arrest, be sure to exercise your right to remain silent and be sure to ask to speak to your Oakland DUI lawyer.
Police officers are supposed to follow certain protocols when stopping DUI suspects and taking someone into custody. Failure to follow these protocols could result in your criminal charges being dismissed altogether. Your 5th Amendment Rights are also sometimes known as your Miranda Rights. These rights give you the freedom to remain silent and to avoid saying anything that could incriminate you in a DUI case. Thus, if an officer asks you how much you have had to drink, you do not legally have to answer. You can plead your 5th amendment rights to remain silent and to speak to a lawyer.
Contact Our Skilled Oakland DUI Defense Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been arrested for drunk driving or DUID in Oakland, it is not too late to fight these charges. Call the Oakland DUI defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Nabiel C. Ahmed today to begin building a solid defense. You can stay out of jail and even get your license! Call today at (510) 907-6600 or fill out our confidential contact form for more information.