Do You Need A DUI Attorney?

If you have been arrested for a DUI in Greenville, SC, you likely have many questions and concerns going forward. One of them may be whether or not you need to hire a DUI lawyer. In general, when you are faced with a DUI charge, you will want to hire a lawyer. When this is the case, contact De Bruin Law Firm for effective legal counsel. We will do everything in our power to protect your rights and ensure that you fully understand the process. However, there are some cases in which hiring a DUI attorney isn’t strictly necessary. Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine whether or not you need to hire a DUI lawyer.

Is This Your First Offense?

If this is your first offense,  one option sometimes available is agreeing to a lesser charge rather than driving under the influence. An experienced attorney will be able to determine whether the facts in your case make that situation possible. However, if this is not your first DUI, a Greenville DUI attorney is essential. With multiple DUI charges and no lawyer, there will be a greater variation in possible outcomes of your case, and you will likely face more severe sentencing. The guidance of an attorney will be necessary to protect your future.

Do You Plan To Plead Guilty?

Before pleading guilty, it is important to educate yourself on South Carolina’s DUI laws. This is when a DUI attorney can be an invaluable resource. Even if you believe that pleading guilty is the best course of action, a DUI lawyer can provide advice that may help you lessen the severity of your sentence. You should also keep in mind that you may be able to get a plea bargain if your conviction is less certain. For example, if your BAC was between .08 and .11, there could be some debate over whether the reading was entirely accurate, and that uncertainty may enable your DUI attorney to get a better plea bargain. Unless your conviction is absolutely guaranteed, there are many potential benefits to hiring a lawyer.

What Sentence Will You Face?

Not only is it possible for a DUI attorney is negotiate a plea bargain for you, they may also be able to negotiate a sentence bargain. A plea bargain is when the charge is reduced; for example, instead of being charged with DUI, your lawyer may be able to reduce the charge to reckless driving through a plea bargain. A sentence bargain is reducing the sentence. This can be especially helpful if you are facing incarceration for your DUI, because if you are considering pleading guilty, you likely want to know what the sentence will be before you do. An attorney can negotiate this for you so you can make a more informed decision for your future.
If you are looking for a DUI attorney in South Carolina, De Bruin Law Firm can help. Contact us today to learn more about our DUI defense services.