Prince George’s County DUI Arraignment
A DUI arraignment for drunk driving charges in Prince George’s County is simply a procedural step. While not much happens at this stage, arraignment is an important step in the DUI case process.
If you were arrested and charged with drunk driving, you should not risk handling your case alone. As you will learn at arraignment, you have the right to representation, and you should exercise that right. An experienced attorney could assist defendants before the arraignment or even help them avoid having to go to an arraignment at all. Speaking with an intelligent DUI attorney could be an important first step in your drunk driving case.
What Happens at Arraignment?
A DUI arraignment in Prince George’s County is the same thing as an initial appearance. The defendant is advised of certain rights, given a court date, advised to retain an attorney if they do not already have one, and told about the charges against them. The defendant needs to appear at the arraignment because if they do not, a warrant could be issued for their arrest. It should be noted that bail is not set at the arraignment. Bail is set at a bond review.
Not much happens in a DUI case between the initial arrest and arraignment unless the defendant retains an attorney on their own. During this time, a lawyer could request discovery and begin taking action on the case.
Should I Retain an Attorney Before Arraignment?
When an attorney is retained and enters their appearance in a case, the defendant will often not be required to go to the DUI arraignment in Prince George’s County. It is assumed that once a person retains an attorney, their legal counsel can explain the charges and ensure that the defendant knows their court date. Reach out to a hard-working lawyer immediately to get started on your drunk driving case.
Importance of Contacting an Attorney
If you have already been arraigned, you were informed of your right to legal representation. You should seriously consider taking advantage of this right, because hiring an attorney is often the most effective way to resolve the charges against you. There may be strong defenses available in your case, but it can be difficult to identify them or effectively present them in court without representation.
Prosecutors take drunk driving charges seriously, and they often have years of experience in the courtroom. This puts defendants at a serious disadvantage unless they have an equally experienced defense attorney by their side.
Contact a Prince George’s County DUI Attorney as Soon as Possible
If you were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you could benefit from retaining legal counsel as quickly as possible. If you hire an attorney before your DUI arraignment in Prince George’s County, you often do not have to appear at all. If you have already been arraigned, then you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. The sooner a skilled lawyer gets to work on your case, the better your chances of a positive outcome. Call today to schedule a consultation.