Driving Under the Influence is an offense you should take seriously. As much as possible, you must take care to avoid conviction. Here’s an overview of the legal proceedings on this kind of case so that you will have a general idea.
You Are Now Under Arrest
When proven that you are indeed driving under the influence, the police officer will have probable cause and can proceed to arrest you. We are familiar with this situation: your rights are read to you, you will be handcuffed and escorted via the police vehicle to jail. You will be required to fill out a personal information form and will be subject to the breath test and urine examination. Your consent is a vital part of the breath test. Refusal will lead to a straight ride to being booked in the prison cell.
Admission or Booking
As part of being admitted to jail, the prisoner database requires encoding of your personal information. Fingerprinting and photo capturing are also going to occur. Then, the police officer will ask you to surrender all of your personal belongings and proceed to your mugshot photo-taking. You will be lead to your holding cell where you will await your first appearance or bail if allowed.
The Arraignment
You will have to hire a Jacksonville DUI lawyer or any lawyer of your choice. Your lawyer will be representing you, moving forward, once they send in a Notice of Appearance. You decided on your plea: guilty or not guilty.
After You Plead Guilty
Pleading guilty will send you straight to sentencing. The judge assigned to your case will decide on the weight of the sentence you will receive. First-time offenders will usually render community service, have a driver’s license suspension, undergo a DUI program, and pay for court costs and fines. Repeat offenders most likely will receive jail time..
After You Plead Not Guilty
Pleading not guilty entails a longer legal process as you will be proving your defense. The judge will set a date for the preliminary hearing. Here is why hiring a prominent Jacksonville DUI lawyer is essential, as the pre-trial motions carry substantial weight in the success of your case and dictate how it will go. Your attorney may also suggest a plea bargain and negotiate with the State. Should results be unfortunate, you will proceed with a trial and appeals, if needed.
Do You Need Free Legal Consultation?
Reach out to Jacksonville DUI Lawyer, Attorney Robert L. Corse to represent your case. With numerous victories on his back, he can help you in your defense.
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