How To Handle Being Arrested For DWI Or Reckless Driving

The process of being arrested for anything is going to be extremely jarring. The arrest could involve sobriety testing depending on your circumstances. Understanding your rights is going to be of paramount importance. Most individuals do not realize that police can lie to you in order to build their case. Empty threats can be made like you will never drive again. What police fail to tell a number of people is that there is a license that you can apply for that will allow you to drive to work or the doctor. The following are tips to handle being arrested for DWI or reckless driving.

Remain Silent

If you have a reckless driving lawyer they will advise you not to talk, as you are not going to be able to talk your way out of a DWI arrest. The officer could be liable for allowing you to leave if you are involved in a crash that hurts someone. If you are intoxicated, you don’t want any footage of you slurring or not making sense when defending yourself. You are not required to answer where you were going or your plans for the day. With this being said, you should be polite to the officer while still understanding what you have to do and do not have to do.

Refusal To Submit To Testing

A refusal to submit to testing is likely going to result in your arrest. Your license is going to be suspended but there are work-only licenses. This will require you to go to the DMV and apply for this license. Your attorney can be a huge help with this as the suspension can be overturned if the arresting officer does not appear. Even if the officer does appear, your attorney can ask them questions and lock in their testimony. Some officers are required to show up to these hearings especially if they are a DUI specialist.

Find An Experienced Local Criminal Defense Attorney

A reckless driving charge carries a number of the same penalties as a DWI. For this reason, you should not take this charge lightly as it could cost you thousands in additional insurance costs in the future. Finding an experienced attorney should not be too difficult. The challenge might be finding one within your budget that you feel comfortable with handling your case. Asking about fee structures can be very important as some attorneys even offer payment programs.

The attorney will have worked with prosecutors and judges in the past. There is a rapport that can be built that can lead to getting a great plea bargain. Having your charges dropped is going to be the best thing that can happen. Diversion programs are also available if this is a first-time offense that might require substance abuse counseling. Taking a case to trial is another option so make sure that your attorney has adequate trial experience.

Being arrested is not the end of the world but it is something that you need to get through. Don’t let your arrest define your year by making positive changes in your life.