If you’re facing charges for driving under the influence, hiring a DUI attorney will give you the best chance at securing a favorable outcome. Depending on the circumstances, a strategic criminal defense lawyer may be able to negotiate for lesser charges with reduced penalties or have the case dismissed. If you attempt to represent yourself, though, and a conviction results, the fines, fees, court costs, and indirect expenses like higher insurance rates can add up fast. If you’re considering legal representation, here are a few other reasons why it’s beneficial.

Why Enlist a DUI Attorney?

1. Protect Your Future

A single DUI conviction may not seem like a serious problem on an otherwise clean criminal record, but it can have lasting consequences. For example, if you’re a commercial driver, it can inhibit you from providing for loved ones. And if you work in any other industry, a jail sentence could affect your employment status.

2. Be in Control 

Depending on the circumstances, you may have to cover various legal fees even if you opt for a court-appointed lawyer. Since you could end up paying for counsel anyway, why not select someone who is not overworked and can give your case the time and attention it deserves?

3. Protect Your Rights

During the traffic stop, did police search your vehicle without consent? Or perhaps they bullied you into taking field sobriety tests, which are technically voluntary. If law enforcement personnel violated your rights at any point, a seasoned DUI attorney will find a way to prove as much, which could end with the judge dismissing the charges. 

If you are facing criminal charges following a traffic stop in Alabama, turn to the Pearce Law Firm. With offices in Foley, Bay Minette, Gilbertown, and Atmore, they represent clients throughout the state. By limiting their scope of practice to criminal defense and bankruptcy law, they stay up-to-date on all the latest regulations that affect their clients. This allows them to provide the most comprehensive counsel possible. Visit the website to learn more about their expertise, or call (251) 301-8250 to schedule an initial consultation with a DUI attorney.