Montgomery County First Offense DUI Lawyer
A person who has been arrested for a DUI for the first time should contact a Montgomery County DUI lawyer. Having an attorney by your side as early as possible in the process is going to make a big difference in the viable resolution of an alcohol case.
Penalties for First Time DUI Conviction
The maximum penalties for a first DUI conviction in Montgomery County include a year of incarceration, $1,000 fine, and 12 points on a person’s license. There are no penalties for the arrest unless the state can actually prove the charge. Thus, an arrest doesn’t automatically equal a conviction for a DUI in Montgomery County.
After being arrested, the case can be dropped, the person can enter into a plea deal, or the case can go to trial. In all instances, an experienced first offense DUI lawyer in Montgomery County will be able to help a person through the process and get their situation resolved as quickly and as painlessly as possible.
Role of a Montgomery County DUI Lawyer
A Montgomery County first time DUI lawyer can help an individual understand the charges and the potential options available based on the information surrounding the case. A defense attorney will provide a person with advice on what to do after they have been arrested and before they appear in court to make their case look good. This may involve entering into an Alcoholics Anonymous program.
A criminal defense lawyer will also defend the person if the case were to go to trial. They can challenge any of the state’s evidence to try to get their client an acquittal. They can help the client in venue selections by determining whether the case should be heard in the district or in the circuit court. They can help their client at trial by cross examining the State’s witnesses and challenging evidence. And then finally, they can stand by their client and help present mitigation to a judge or a jury. In Montgomery County, this support is essential for a person after they have been arrested for a DUI for the first time.
After a First Time DUI Charge in Montgomery County
Generally, first-time DUI offenders in Montgomery County do not receive a conviction. They receive something called probation before judgment, which is not a conviction and does not involve any points being added to a person’s license.
A person who received probation before judgment will be able to say that they had never been convicted of a DUI. However, if a person is charged with a DUI for the second time, they will most likely be convicted of the crime and face penalties movies forward.
Impact on Car Insurance
If an individual is in fact convicted of a DUI, they will receive 12 points on their license, which may trigger a suspension of license. This will also trigger either their insurance company dropping them depending on the insurance provider, or if they don’t get dropped, their rates are going to increase significantly.
A Montgomery County first offense DUI lawyer is aware of all of the factors that need to be taken into consideration when defending a client charged with a DUI for the first time. Thus, it is essential for a person facing DUI charges to contact and schedule an appointment with an experienced lawyer in the area right away.