What is a restraining order? How likely am I to go to jail on my first DUI offense? What is a misdemeanor and how does it compare to a felony? These are all great questions, and chances are if you know the answers to them before you are confronted with a real-world case scenario you won’t need your lawyer at all. Not because you don’t need a lawyer, but because when you know the consequences ahead of time, you most likely won’t commit the offense. That’s the hope, anyway.
Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Often, when people think they know the law they take chances they otherwise wouldn’t take, believing that they can avoid the stuff penalties that accompany offenses such as DUI, elder abuse, and illegal drug trafficking.
What is a criminal defense lawyer? That’s probably the question you’ll be asking if you have to ask, “What is a restraining order?” A criminal defense lawyer is an attorney that specializes in defending you if you’ve been charged with a crime. Local attorneys are usually good bets to turn to because they are most likely familiar with the prosecution and the judges. They will likely be able to navigate you through the system in your area. Of course, they can’t manipulate the system in your favor, but knowledge is always a good thing to have on your side.
If you find yourself in trouble, find an attorney that specializes in the area of the law you have come up against. For example, if you have been arrested and charged with a DUI and you ask your lawyer, “What is a restraining order?” they will likely set you straight by letting you know that a restraining order is the least of your worries. They will concentrate on what they know they need to do to deal with your DUI.
In the United States alone, 1.4 million people are arrested every year for their first offense DUI. That’s a lot of business for the courts. They have seen more first offense defendants than they can count. Your appearance will be nothing new to them, though it will mean everything to you. When you choose a criminal lawyer to help you, choose one with plenty of experience. Experience in these cases matter a great deal.
Every state has different laws when it comes to dealing with DUIs. To point out only one: in California, a first-time offense for a DUI can carry with it a six-month jail sentence and a six-month suspension of your driver’s license. When you know a California lawyer who specializes in DUI cases, you will have a much better chance of bargaining than if you went it alone or with someone who didn’t know the ropes.
