There are significant impacts on your life if you have been arrested and charged with a DUI. Your license may be suspended or possibly wholly revoked. There is also the chance of expensive court fees or other penalties. Not to mention the potential of spending time in jail. Therefore, a DUI charge is not something you want to take lightly. Knowing the first steps you need to take after being charged is vital.
Find a Ride Home
If your bail is paid and you have sobered up, you will usually be released. No matter the circumstances, the best first step is to find a ride home. Your license has most likely been suspended. Therefore, you do not want to risk driving yourself and adding on another charge.
Furthermore, you will want to make transportation arrangements as you wait for your court date. Transportation arrangements could be a friend or family member willing to give you rides wherever you need to be, or you will need to look into public transportation to take you places.
Find an Attorney
There may be instances where an attorney is not necessary depending on how cut and dry the case is, but it would be beneficial either way to hire a DUI/DWI Lawyer. This will be especially necessary if you plan to plead not guilty at your court date.
There is also the added benefit of the attorney being able to help guide you through the rest of the process after the DUI charge. Depending on how you plan to plead, they can also help you prepare for your court appearance. There will be different things required of you.
Being charged with a DUI is not something to brush under the rug. You need to take it seriously and follow these steps to have a greater chance of getting your license back and not spending time in jail.
