Hiring a Lawyer When Accused of DUI

Driving under the influence of alcohol, drunk driving, drinking and driving (North American English), or drink-driving (British/Irish and Australian/New Zealand English), is the act of operating a motor vehicle (and even a bicycle or horse in some jurisdictions) after having consumed alcohol (ethanol) or other drugs, to the degree that mental and motor skills are impaired. It is a crime in most countries around the world.

In addition to driving under the influence of alcohol and driving under the influence of other drugs, a third "DUI" offense consists of driving under the combined influence of alcohol and other drugs. The drugs causing or contributing to the impairment need not be illegal, but can consist of lawfully prescribed or over-the-counter medication. Anti-drunk-driving advertising campaigns have aimed to raise awareness of the legal situation and the dangers of driving while intoxicated. Drunk-driving is responsible for a large number of deaths, injuries, damage and accidents every year. In most international jurisdictions, anyone who is convicted of injuring or killing someone while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be heavily fined, as in France,[6] in addition to being given a lengthy prison sentence.The specific criminal offense may be called, depending on the jurisdiction, driving while intoxicated (DWI), driving while impaired (also DWI), operating while intoxicated (OWI), operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OMVI), driving under the influence [of alcohol or other drugs] (DUI), driving under the combined influence of alcohol and/or other drugs, driving under the influence per se or drunk in charge [of a vehicle]. Such laws may also apply to boating (as in Canada[7]), piloting aircraft, and even bicycling in some states such as California.

When arrested for a DUI charge there's a lot to consider as you seek to minimize the damage to your personal, professional and social life.

Immediate DUI Concerns

Here's the immediate steps you need to take if you've just been arrested for a DUI related offense:

Schedule your DMV hearing. In most every state your drivers license will be suspended if you do not request the DMV hearing to appeal the administrative license revocation that happens as a part of the administrative 'Per Se' law that most every state across the United States has adopted. In most cases you have anywhere from 7-15 days to schedule this hearing and you don't need a DUI lawyer to do this for you, you can do it yourself.

Sit down and recall the events of your DUI arrest. Before too much time has elapsed you'll want to sit down and ensure that you completely recall the events of your DUI arrest completely. If you can take notes in a private notebook (do not show these notes to anyone especially law enforcement) it will enable you to remember the events of the DUI arrest with good detail so that you and your DUI lawyer can discuss the events to form your DUI defense.

Meet with a qualified DUI lawyer for a free consultation. Even if you're not sure if you have the money or a good enough case to warrant spending the money on a DUI lawyer you should still meet with one to get as much free advice as possible. The elite DUI lawyers throughout the nation have enough clients where they do not need to 'sell' you or pressure you to use their services. They will honestly tell you if they can provide you with service that would greatly help you versus simply pleading guilty for you (which you could do yourself). Also, the ethical DUI lawyers will tell you how to best help yourself if they don't think that their fees are worth it to you given your specific DUI situation.

DUI Action Steps

Overall, if you have recently been charged with a DUI or other drunk driving related offense you'll want to seek out the advice of an aggressive, honest DUI lawyer who can point you in the right direction given your specific situation. The good DUI lawyers won't simply try to sell you on retaining them for your DUI case, they'll give you honest advice about your situation and tell you what you can do given the details of your case.

Kiefer Sutherland surrendered at the Glendale City Jail to begin his 48-day sentence. Kiefer was was arrested and pled guilty to a DUI in September. So in honor of the longest celebrity sentence for a DUI since I can remember, I present you with a list of celebrity DUI counts and their consequences.

On May 25, 2007, Lindsay Lohan was arrested for DUI after crashing her car. Cocaine was found in her Mercedes, although Lindsay denied that it was hers. Lindsay went to rehab in hopes to resolve the resulting legal troubles, but less than two weeks out of rehab, Lindsay was arrested again on July 24, 2007. Again she wrecked her car while under the influence. Again cocaine was found, this time in Lohan’s pants pocket. Lindsay went to rehab in Sundance, Utah this time, and ended up serving only 84 minutes in jail.