Can I Handle My Own Defense for a DUI Charge in Alabama?

Can I Handle My Own Defense for a DUI Charge? 

If you’re facing a DUI (driving under the influence) charge, you may be facing significant charges and the potential of life-altering charges, fines, and effects on the way you are able to live your day-to-day life. The prospect of being caught for a DUI is on the rise in Alabama, as OCG News reports that Alabama is participating in “Operation Southern Shield,” a multi-state initiative to target speeding, distracted driving, and drunk driving. A criminal defense attorney with a DUI practice like Luck Law, LLC is here to help those arrested. 

Before reaching out to an attorney to help you with your DUI charge, read on to learn about whether or not you might be able to handle your own defense for the charge. 

Separate Your Feelings and Perspective from Your Objective Representation 

Deciding to represent yourself in a criminal case is generally not recommended by attorneys. Even attorneys are discouraged from representing themselves should they face criminal charges. It can be difficult even for an attorney to separate their personal feelings and perspective from their representation, which can harm their objectivity and thus their outcome. 

If you are considering representing yourself and handling your own defense for a DUI charge, you should know that it will involve not only the facts of your case, but also the applicability of relevant laws, evidentiary rules, and case precedents. 

Carefully Consider How You Plead Your Case 

When you have been charged with a DUI, even in the face of evidence such as a BAC (blood alcohol content) greater than .08%, it is not always best to plead guilty. Pleading guilty puts you in the position of trying to negotiate the least harmful or costly punishment for your charge instead of potentially avoiding the charge altogether. A DUI attorney has the knowledge and experience to consider all the other facts of your case that might make the BAC irrelevant or inadmissible in court. 

The police are bound by procedure, and an experienced DUI attorney knows what the police can and cannot do, and when and how to suppress relevant evidence. 

What Penalties Might You Face in Alabama? 

The penalties for a DUI, even your first, can be steep in Alabama. For your first DUI, you may face jail time up to one year and a fine of up to $2,100. You must serve at least five days of community service, and your license is suspended for one year. Second and third convictions have steeper fines, jail time, and a three-year license revocation for a second offense or a five-year suspension for a third. 

You could lose your freedom, your ability to legally drive to work or get your family around, and may be responsible for thousands of dollars in fines. There is a lot at risk, and you do not want to risk it alone.

Schedule an Appointment with a Montgomery DUI Attorney 

To receive top-notch legal representation, schedule an appointment now with Luck Law, LLC by calling us at 334-262-5455 or contact us online!