A drunk driving arrest can turn your world upside down and leave you wondering what to do next. The time between your arrest and the conclusion of your case can go in a number of different directions, but if you know which paths to stay on, you can make it easier to navigate the situation. In today’s blog, we share some tips for navigating life and the criminal trial process after a DUI arrest.
The Aftermath Of A DUI Arrest
From the moment you’re arrested until a decision is rendered, here are some things to keep in mind and actions to take.
1. Contact A Lawyer – While this may seem a little self-serving, it’s also far and away the best advice if you’re facing DUI charges. Not only can a lawyer help you get out of jail if you’re being held after your arrest, but they can also start planning your defense. Pleading guilty and hoping for the best is a terrible courtroom strategy. Instead, contact a lawyer and greatly increase your likelihood of achieving a favorable outcome. And if you’re worried about the cost of a lawyer, know that a lawyer can actually pay for their services many times over based on the amount of money they can save you by getting the charges reduced or dropped.
2. Be Honest (With Your Family) – We’ve found that trying to hide a DUI charge from your spouse often only creates more problems, so while you don’t need to share details to everyone on Facebook, doing right by your immediate family involves keeping them in the loop and attacking the issue together as a family. They may be mad, but they deserve the truth, and it will help you focus on your defense instead of wasting all your efforts trying to keep your arrest under wraps. The reason we put family in parentheses is because it’s not always in your best interest to be completely honest with police or your employer. We’re not advocating lying, but also don’t offer up information that could hurt you personally or professionally to those who may not share your best interests.
3. Stay On The Straight And Narrow – While your case is playing out, it is imperative that your stay on the straight and narrow and avoid trouble. That means staying out of bars, avoiding more traffic stops and even taking some proactive steps to show you’re committed to change. Your lawyer can walk you through those proactive steps, which may include attending a victim impact panel or completing an alcohol education course. Showing that you take the charges seriously will help your case, whereas getting in more trouble will only hurt it.
4. Control What You Can Control – Finally, it’s important to focus on controlling what you can control during the fallout after your DUI arrest. You can’t control other people’s reaction to the news, and if you start letting things you can’t control affect your life, more problems can develop. Focus on your job and your family, and don’t worry about outside influences. Control what you can control and work towards real solutions with your family and with your lawyer.
If you can do all of these things, you’ll be in a great position to come out of this situation as best as possible. For more information or for help with your DUI case, reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm for a free case review today.
