I Got a DUI Over Memorial Day Weekend. What Do I Do Now?
Posted on May 24, 2014 9:41am PDT
Your three-day holiday weekend is ruined. On Sunday, at about 7:00 a.m.,
you were finally released from the jail on bond. You're still in the
same clothes you had on last night. Your car is in the impound lot. And,
you reek of alcohol, cigarettes, and whatever else you may have consumed
a few hours ago. You look down at your paperwork and are finally able
to see the charges:
DUI
,
Speeding
, Failure to Maintain Lane. Now, what are you supposed to do?
First, calm down and focus. What you do from this point forward is critical
step to your overall future. DUIs in Georgia have multiple consequences.
For example, you may lose your driver's license. You may go to jail.
You may be placed on probation. And, your insurance may go up. Please
don't think about handling this DUI yourself in court. Although you
may think you're guilty and there is no way to defend it, you still
need a lawyer to guide you through the
criminal justice system.
Second, it's very likely the officer gave you a "1205 form." In summary, the officer is looking to suspend your driver's
license based on this DUI. You need to file an appeal immediately. You
only have 30 days to react, either by filing an appeal or by filing a
petition to get an ignition interlock device (IID) installed on your vehicle.
The best lawyer in the world cannot help you if you miss this deadline.
Call my office and I'll file it for you. Get it done.
Third, it is strongly recommended that you contact a DUI lawyer. Do not
contact a "general practice/I take every kind of case lawyer."
Why? DUI law changes almost monthly. It is the most complex misdemeanor
crime and borders some felony crimes. In fact, some of the tests the officer
performed on you are scientific in nature (according to the courts). Simply
Google " Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus" to learn more. When you
call lawyers, ask them when they were last trained and certified in DUI
Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. More importantly, ask them if they've
even tried a DUI case to a jury.
My firm has. And, I am certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
to perform and evaluate these tests. I also just attended a DUI training
course in Atlanta this month.
Finally, don't think about what may happen to you as a result of this
DUI. Instead, take this time to write down everything you remember about
the DUI: where you were coming from/going to; how many police officers
were at the scene; what they made you do; whether it was cold or hot outside;
whether they took any evidence from you; the conditions of the road; the
attitude of everyone involved. This journal will be very important to
your lawyer.
Getting a DUI is serious business. Getting it over the Memorial Day holiday
is annoying and one way to ruin your long weekend, but I can help you.
Call my firm today at 678-935-6268, or email me directly at AJ@GeorgiaCrime.com.