Getting arrested for driving under the influence can be a huge, life-altering event. The consequences of this action could have negative effects on your life that lasts for years. You don’t have to navigate this frightening event alone, though. A DUI lawyer can help. According to IBISWorld, the market for criminal lawyers is approximately $18 billion as of 2023. As such, you'll never be at a loss of options for legal resources and representation. Here are several benefits of hiring a DUI lawyer that you should consider.

Rely on a Lawyer's Expertise

Any practicing DUI lawyer has spent years studying and practicing law. They have the expert information needed to handle your case. There are many legal issues at play in a DUI case. If you aren’t a legal professional yourself, then you may not know how many of these details could affect the outcome of your situation. A great DUI lawyer will understand all of this, though. Although you are legally allowed to represent yourself, you won’t be helping yourself if you do this. You need professional, experienced representation to ensure your case has the best outcome possible.

Work to Reduce Your Sentence

A lawyer can’t guarantee you any particular outcome, but you’re more likely to get your sentence reduced if you work with a DUI lawyer. DUI lawyers are especially helpful at getting sentences reduced for first-time offenders. You should be aware, though, that as more DUI offenses rack up, the longer and more severe sentencing will be. Even with multiple offenses, a knowledgeable lawyer will be able to help you navigate ways to reduce sentencing.

Get Your License Back

One consequence of DUI is often suspension or loss of license. The length of suspension is often based on how many DUI convictions you’ve had. Even a first offense, though, can result in a suspension of up to several months, in our experience. This can have a domino effect of negative consequences on your life. Without a license, you’ll struggle to stay employed, attend school, and keep up with many types of responsibilities. This is why getting your license back is so important. A good DUI lawyer can help you with this.

Erase Convictions From Your Record

In our experience, DUI charges can stay on your record for decades. This can make it difficult to get certain types of jobs and interfere with other opportunities as well. When you hire a DUI lawyer, you have a better chance of getting a charge removed through record restriction. An experienced, knowledgeable lawyer can possibly get a case dismissed or assist with stopping it from becoming a permanent part of your record.

Manage the Stress in Your Case

A lot of the stress that results from a DUI case is from feelings of insecurity and confusion. When you don’t know what’s going on or what your next steps should be, it can be highly stressful. Having a legal professional by your side to help guide you each step of the way can really relieve a lot of that stress. The less stressed you are, the more clearly you’ll be able to think and make decisions during this time. It’s crucial that you be able to make good, well-informed decisions when so much is on the line.

Save Time and Money

One of the reasons why people are often scared to hire a lawyer is because they don’t think they can afford it. The truth is that not hiring a lawyer can wind up costing you much more. If a DUI lawyer is able to reduce a sentence or get your license back, that is worth a lot in terms of the quality of your life and your ability to earn money or finish your education. You need to think in terms of what the consequences will be if you don’t have legal help. Lawyer’s fees are not much when compared to your life getting back to normal. Going to trial can be very expensive, so if your lawyer gets your case dismissed, that will save you a lot of money.

These are just a few of the benefits of hiring a DUI lawyer. No matter who you go with, it's important you don't go it alone. Rely on professionals with years of experience regarding legal matters. If you’re looking for legal professionals in your area, please contact Peters & Nolan, LLC today.