In a prefect world, everyone would ring in the new year responsibly, but we know that’s not going to be the case. We’re hoping that the pandemic will cut down on drunk driving numbers this year, but we still expect hundreds of Minnesotans to end up charged with DUIs over the weekend. Prevention is preferred, but if you or a friend make a mistake and end up with a DUI over New Year’s weekend, we explain what steps you should take next.
Steps To Take After A New Year’s DUI
If you end up in the back of a squad car because you have been charged with drunk driving on New Year’s Eve, here’s what you should do next:
1. Stay Quiet – You’re not going to be able to explain away the situation, so there’s nothing to gain by talking about the details of your night or your arrest with police. Remember, they are part of the prosecution that is building the case against you. If you admit to them that you were drinking or that you knew you shouldn’t have been driving, you’re not going to get their sympathy, you’re just going to make it easier for them to aid in your conviction. Don’t talk with them about the specifics of your night.
2. Contact A Lawyer – At some point in the process, you will be able to reach out to a criminal defense lawyer. At Appelman Law Firm, we answer our phones 24/7 throughout the night on New Year’s Eve so that you can always get in contact with a defense lawyer. Don’t spend more time in jail than you need to because you can’t get a hold of a lawyer. They’ll be able to secure your release and start the process of defending you. Get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible.
3. Stay Out Of Additional Trouble – Once you’ve been released from the holding center and are awaiting your court date, it’s imperative that you stay out of additional trouble. Don’t get another DUI or end up in a bar fight. Getting in more trouble won’t show to the court that you are taking your DUI charges seriously, and that can negatively affect the outcome of your case.
4. Consider Proactive Positive Steps – Oftentimes we recommend that our DUI clients attend a victim impact panel or consider alcohol education counseling before it is ordered by the court. This helps showcase that you take the charges seriously and are committed to making positive changes in your life going forward. We can let you know if we think counseling or similar services would be in your best interest before trial.
5. Figure Out What You Want – Finally, we ask all of our clients to reflect on what they hope to achieve as an end result to their case. Obviously everyone hopes the charges will be dropped, and while that’s our goal as well, it’s not always a reasonable outcome. If serving jail time on the weekends, maintaining your driver’s license or having the charge reduced to reckless driving is important, let these wishes be known to your attorney. We can’t make any promises, but we might be able to secure a favorable plea deal instead of facing a worst case scenario in the event of a conviction in court.
If you or someone you knows needs help after a New Year’s Eve arrest, reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today.
