After a DUI arrest, there may be hundreds of dreadful thoughts running through your mind. “What happens next? Will I lose my job? Can I still drive my car? What will my family and friends think if they find out about this? Can I avoid going to jail?” These and many more questions will be raised in the minutes and hours following your arrest. Although you’re in a tough spot, the good news is that there are quality DUI lawyers in the West Palm Beach area who can help you get through this situation.
What you need to know right off the bat is that you have 10 days to contest the automatic administrative suspension of your driver’s license. So, if you need to be able to drive, you will need to research in a relatively short period of time quality legal representation.
Florida’s 10-Day Rule for DUI Arrests
As soon as you’re arrested, the arresting officer will take your driver’s license and give you a citation ticket that doubles as a temporary business purpose only (BPO) license. After receiving the citation, you have just 10 days to contest the administrative suspension of your license by requesting an administrative review hearing. First-time DUI offenders may also waive the hearing for an immediate BPO license.
A quality DUI lawyer will walk you through your options so you can make your own decision about which avenue will provide the best result for your needs.
Qualities of a Good DUI Lawyer
Good DUI lawyers take cases they believe to have a chance of succeeding in court and don’t pressure their clients to take plea deals when there are better options. When searching for DUI representation in the West Palm Beach area, you’re encouraged to ask as many questions as possible.
More Than Half of Their Caseload Is DUI
When discussing your DUI with a lawyer, be sure to ask them how much of their practice they dedicate to DUI defense. For the best possible chance of having your charge dismissed or reduced, you will need to choose an attorney whose primary area of experience is DUI. These attorneys have the best chance of succeeding in court because they are up-to-date on ever-changing legislation that may affect your case.
Comfortable Taking Cases to Trial
Regardless of your criminal charge, you should always work with an attorney who is comfortable taking your case to trial and who knows how to prepare your case so that it may be tried in front of a jury. Most criminal cases do not make it to trial. However, in the rare event that your attorney and the prosecutor cannot negotiate on a favorable resolution, you have the right to take your case to trial and will need an attorney who is confident and collected in the courtroom. Additionally, a good DUI lawyer will have had many of their cases dismissed or reduced.
Frequent Communication With Clients
Attorneys are busy professionals, but part of their job is finding the time to keep their clients informed about the status of their case. A good DUI attorney will make it a point to contact you about major updates and developments. They should return your calls and seek your input when making important decisions about your case.
Upfront About the Cost of Your Defense
An experienced DUI lawyer should keep you updated on all the costs associated with their services throughout the entire legal process. You want to avoid situations in which you are charged thousands of dollars more for your defense than you anticipated because you believed that the sum of your initial lawyer fee was all you needed to pay. There are several tasks that may be necessary to provide a proper defense that will not be known at the start of your case. Your lawyer should be informing you of them as they appear.
Skilled West Palm Beach DUI Lawyer on Your Side
Attorney Brian Gabriel of The Law Office of Gabriel & Gabriel has represented hundreds of clients accused of DUI during his over 30-year career in the West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County surrounding areas. He understands the various issues that can arise during DUI investigations that make a case more challenging to win.
From faulty breath tests to illegal stops, Brian Gabriel has experience using every defense against DUIs available throughout his career. When you allow him to investigate the actions police took when investigating your DUI, you ensure a strong fight for your freedom. With his help, it may be possible to keep your driver’s license, and you stand a better chance of having your DUI charges dismissed altogether or reduced to lesser charges.