5 Things You Need to Do After You Get a DUI
You got pulled over when a police officer suspected you to be driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You performed a performance-based physical test or two and had your breath or blood tested for alcohol content. You were then arrested, taken to jail, released, and are awaiting the consequences. What do you do now? Here are five things that you should do immediately after getting a DUI. Doing these will increase your odds of being treated fairly in court and help everything run as smoothly as possible so you can get your (and your family’s) life back on track.1. Document Everything
As soon as you are able, take some time to write down everything you remember from before, during, and after your DUI stop. No detail is too small or too insignificant.- What were you doing before you got in your car?
- What and how much did you eat and drink, and at what times?
- What did you do once you got behind the wheel?
- What are the circumstances surrounding getting pulled over?
- What did the officer say to you?
- Which tests were administered and how?
- What are the reasons you could have failed the tests?
- What is everything you told the officer?
2. Hire an Experienced DUI Attorney
One of the most important things to do immediately after being arrested is to hire the right lawyer. Remember, you are hiring someone to defend you in court, the importance of possessing solid experience specifically in DUI cases cannot be overstated. Some of the benefits of hiring a capable DUI attorney include:- Their knowledge of local laws, precedent cases, and key players in court
- Their skill level in case argument and witness examination
- Their ability to challenge breathalyzer, blood test, and chemical testing procedures and results
- Their commitment to getting your charges reduced or eliminated
3. Request Your Hearing
Upon leaving jail, you will have received a notice warning you to request a STAY (allowing you to continue driving with a valid license) and make your court hearing appointment as soon as possible. You have 10 days (including weekends) after your arrest to call the DMV. Otherwise, your license is subject to automatic suspension 30 days after your DUI arrest date. Be sure you call the exact DMV number listed on your notice or you may become misinformed. Have your ticket in hand as the DMV employee will ask you:- For your driver’s license number
- The date of your arrest
- Where you got arrested
- The name and ID number of the arresting officer
- What type of test you took (breath, blood, or if you refused)
- If you have or are planning to hire an attorney
4. Get Educated on What to Expect at Your Trial
Your DUI trial is actually broken down into a series of court dates. Depending on your situation and plea, you may be expected to show up in court up to six different times.- Arraignment
- Preliminary Hearing
- Change of Plea Hearing
- Final Pretrial Hearing
- Trial
- Sentencing Hearing
5. Manage the Consequences
The consequences for driving while under the influence are heavy and can take years to work through. Depending on your case, you can expect some or all of the following consequences:- Suspended driver’s license
- Fines and fees
- Ignition interlock device
- Jail time
- Probation
- Higher auto insurance rates or complete cancellation
- Alcohol and/or drug education and/or rehab
- Permanent criminal record
Bradley Corbett
Bradley Corbett is a criminal defense attorney in San Diego. He graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo Utah in 2004. Later he enrolled at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego where he participated in a prestigious internship program with the Los Angeles County Public Defender. Since then he has handled over 2,000 cases.