Many people charged with their first DUI have never been arrested before. They might not realize they’ve actually gone over the legal drinking limit before they started driving and did not intend to drive under the influence, so they never thought they’d be in this position. One of the first things they’ll need to think about after their arrest is contacting an attorney in Royse City, TX for help.
Penalties for First DUI Offense
A first conviction means a person will have to spend between three and 180 days in jail. It is also going to be very expensive. They will have to pay up to $2,000 in fines and will need to pay into the surcharge program. This program requires them to pay $1,000 per year for three years. If they refused the blood alcohol level (BAC) test, they might have further fines to pay and will have their license suspended for 90 to 180 days.
Going Without a Lawyer
A person can plead guilty and accept their sentencing, but they will likely receive the maximum sentence. Additionally, if they try to fight the conviction without the help of a lawyer, it is likely they will be convicted and receive the maximum sentence. It is rarely a good idea for a person to plead guilty or to fight the charges on their own as the chance of success with this is minimal.
How a Lawyer Can Help
A lawyer will look through everything in the case to determine how they can help. They might be able to have the charges dismissed or reduced. Even if they cannot have the charges dismissed or reduced, they can help show the sentence would be a hardship and can help convince the judge to give their client a lesser sentence.
If you’ve been arrested for a DUI for the first time, do not hesitate to contact an attorney in Royse City, TX to get the help you need and to get a much better outcome for your situation. Click here to contact the Law Office of Tim Hartley and to speak with a lawyer about your case right away.
