A DUI charge and arrest may have a significant impact on your life. Your driver’s license will almost probably be suspended, if not wholly revoked. You may be subjected to high court costs, fines, and other consequences. You might face a jail term. You risk losing your job or, at the very least, jeopardizing your employability. A DUI arrest is severe, so if you’ve been charged with one, here are six things you should do right now.
List Of Incidents When You Should Be Reaching A DUI
1. Obtain transportation back to your starting point
While some counties may get you out of jail the same day you’re charged as long as you’ve picked up and your bail is paid, others will keep you in jail overnight until you sober up. Whatever position you find yourself in, finding a transport home is the finest way.
You don’t want to risk driving yourself home and adding another punishment to your record after being caught with a DUI since your license will almost certainly be terminated immediately; for that, you must consult a Phoenix DUI lawyer.
2. Make your court appearance a top priority
Before you leave the jail, you’ll be given notice of the date you’ll have to appear in court for your DUI charge. As soon as you get home, write down the date and time of your court appearance on your calendar. This data must not be misplaced, forgotten, or rejected in any manner.
Make sure you don’t have any conflicts on that day by contacting work and anybody else who needs to be contacted.
3. Determine whether or not you need the assistance of an attorney
Some attorneys may try to persuade you that you must always hire a Phoenix DUI lawyer to defend you in court, but this is not the case. In reality, the great majority of DUI cases are uncomplicated, and most judges think that your BAC is sufficient evidence to convict you of DUI.
And, with more stringent DUI laws enacted in recent years, there is little room for mistake when it comes to avoiding a DUI conviction and the repercussions that come with it.
4. Make transportation plans
You won’t be allowed to drive until your court date since you won’t have a driver’s license. As a consequence, you’ll need to make other arrangements. The court may award you a hardship license, allowing you to drive yourself to work or school.
If not, you’ll either need to arrange for someone by consulting your Phoenix DUI lawyer to go to these venues or figure out how to use public transportation in your area.
5. Look at SR-22 insurance
Even if your driver’s license is temporarily revoked, you should start looking into SR-22 vehicle insurance right away. Download an SR-22 form and consult with your insurance agent to determine your new insurance rates. You should be aware that your insurance premiums will almost probably rise and remain high for some time.
Conclusion
Following your court appearance, you’ll need to take several further actions, including completing any courses, probationary periods, or other restrictions that were imposed on you at the hearing.
If you suspect you will require professional guidance throughout this process, contact a Phoenix DUI attorney.
