Pleading Guilty to a DUI Charge
You’ve been pulled over for drunk driving and charged with a DUI. You may believe that you are guilty and are afraid that if you contest the charge in court, you will end up facing a more serious penalty. Should you plead guilty or no contest instead of fighting the DUI charge?
When you have been arrested for a DUI, it is strongly recommended that you do not submit a plea until you talk to an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Even if the police believe you were driving drunk, you may not have broken the law. Before pleading guilty or no contest, contact the aggressive, experienced West Palm Beach criminal attorneys of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. at 561-353-2800.
Know Your Legal Rights
Being arrested for a DUI does not automatically mean that you are guilty. It is not illegal to have a couple of drinks, and it is not illegal to drive home from a bar, club, or restaurant after drinking as long as you are under the legal .08 BAC limit. Only if you surpass this limit have you broken the law.
A police officer may have arrested you with the assumption that you were drunk without really knowing what your BAC limit was, or perhaps you took a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test with equipment that was not properly calibrated. Under Florida law you have a right to contest the charges made against you.
How a Lawyer Can Help
A criminal defense lawyer who specializes in DUI cases knows that police have to follow specific procedures to properly arrest and charge individuals with DUI. If these procedures were not lawfully followed, your case may be thrown out of court. A good DUI defense lawyer will scrutinize all of the evidence brought against you to look for weaknesses in the prosecution’s argument and can aggressively cross-examine witnesses to help uncover facts that may benefit your case.
Contact Us
If you have been charged with DUI, you should know that if you plead guilty or no contest, you automatically give up certain rights. Don’t give in to charges if you haven’t consulted with a lawyer first. He or she may be able to help you prepare a defense so that you avoid a conviction altogether.
For more information on preparing your DUI defense, please contact the West Palm Beach DUI defense attorneys of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. today at 561-353-2800.
