Let a DUI Lawyer in Oshawa Fight for You

Being arrested and dealing with the impending legal repercussions can be an overwhelming, stressful experience. If you were arrested for a DUI (driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs), the matter may lead to serious consequences, which can easily derail an otherwise clean record or bright future. The good news is that obtaining legal counsel could be a smart move to get you back on track. With the help of an experienced DUI lawyer in Oshawa, find the best possible outcome for your individual situation and case. While there are no guarantees, it can be useful to have a DUI lawyer on your side throughout this otherwise stressful and confusing time in your life.

What is the Blood Alcohol Level for an Arrest?

It is important to keep in mind that there is something called a “warn range” where you have alcohol in your system while driving, but it is not enough alcohol to warrant an impaired driving arrest. The legal standard for the “warn range” is between .05 and .08, wherein you will receive a warning and temporary suspension of your driving privileges. If the arresting officer administers an approved screening device and it registers above the 0.8 of the “warn range,” you will be looking at an arrest and stricter punishments for impaired driving. If you have further questions about this aspect of your arrest and impending court case, your lawyer will be able to answer your questions concerning how you were tested during the arrest, your recorded level, and the possible outcomes.

How Can a DUI Lawyer Help?

A DUI arrest does not always mean a DUI conviction. Seeking legal assistance may be the difference between a conviction and avoiding a conviction in impaired driving cases. Aside from offering a legal plan that is tailored to your unique legal needs, a lawyer will perform other essential duties when they agree to take on your case. If you have been arrested for breaking this type of law, a DUI lawyer may be able to help in a few key ways:

Answering questions. The legal system can be confusing for an outsider. A DUI lawyer will be able to answer your questions throughout every step of the process. They will act as your guide while providing answers to complex legal concerns.
Preparing legal documents. There is a lot of paperwork involved in an impaired driving case when attempting to convince the courts that you deserve leniency for driving while under the influence. Your DUI lawyer will be able to explain and assist you in gathering the correct documents before your case goes before a judge.
Presenting the case before a judge. A courtroom can be intimidating and stressful to a layperson. The good news is that your DUI lawyer will act as your legal representation before the judge, present your side of the incident and any pertinent documents, and communicate on your behalf with others within the legal system.
Negotiating no conviction or less harsh sentencing. An experienced lawyer familiar with DUI cases will have a better understanding of how to prevent a conviction or reduce the sentence to minimum sentencing.

What are the Consequences of a DUI Conviction?

If you are convicted of a DUI offence, the consequences may range from minor to serious in nature. For example, if someone is arrested as a first-time offender and they are only a little over the legal limit, it may be possible to argue for the conviction to be avoided or a sentencing of community service vs. jail time. However, in a more severe case, such as one where bodily harm is inflicted on another person as a result of you driving under the influence, the potential consequences will be more serious in both fines and jail time. Possible consequences of a DUI conviction include:

Fines
Imprisonment
A criminal record
Loss of driving privileges
Community service or other types of service learning
Court-ordered treatment for alcohol or drug misuse, abuse, and addiction

It is worth remembering that the possible outcomes will depend on the many specifics surrounding your arrest and your case. Since every case is different, the use of a lawyer may help you navigate the possible consequences of an arrest for impaired driving.

Should You Fight a DUI Charge?

There are certain instances where fighting an impaired driving charge makes more sense. For example, if the breath sample used to arrest you for impaired driving was not properly administered or the arresting officers did not follow proper protocol, a DUI lawyer may be able to prove this from police reports and documents. It is also especially smart to fight an impaired driving charge when it is your first arrest, and you were only a little over the legal limit. The courts may be more likely to show leniency toward a first-time offender when they are generally an upstanding member of society and made a mistake. You should also fight the charge if your blood alcohol level was not over .04 and you were still arrested. The “warning range” is .5 to .8, so if your level was 0.4, you were arrested while within the legal limit. There are also instances where “fighting” a DUI charge is more complex. If you have been arrested for multiple DUI charges or in conjunction with severe traffic charges, the charge involves harm to another person or impaired driving with an underage child in the vehicle, you still have the option of fighting a DUI conviction, but at the least, a DUI lawyer may be able to ask the courts for leniency based on other personal factors.

Is a DUI Attorney Worth the Cost?

While you have the option to represent yourself in a court of law, it may be worth the cost to hire legal counsel for your case. Even a seemingly simple DUI charge can quickly become confusing and unmanageable to someone unfamiliar with the legal system. Hiring a DUI lawyer for your impaired driving case is not a guarantee of a successful outcome, but having a lawyer in your corner may be able to make a big difference. The matter of cost for legal services should not be a deterrent from seeking a DUI lawyer for your case. When you consider all of the possible consequences of a conviction (jail, fines, loss of driving privileges, etc.) and the havoc they can wreak on your life, the cost of those consequences far outweighs the financial aspect of hiring a lawyer. If you are concerned about the cost of hiring legal counsel, make sure you bring that up when meeting with the lawyer. They will be able to answer your questions regarding the cost of hiring a lawyer for your case.

Get the Legal Help You Deserve

Any type of legal trouble is stressful. Facing a DUI conviction following an arrest does not have to derail your entire life. With the help of caring, compassionate legal services, fighting a conviction and finding an ideal outcome for your case may be possible. Whether this is your first DUI arrest or the latest in a string of arrests, you deserve legal representation tailored to your unique situation. Call today at 647-503-5251 to seek the legal help you rightfully deserve.