bharatbhasha.net


Free Articles  >>  Legal >>  Page 167  >> 

DUI Lawyers Can Help With Felony DUI Charges



Charges for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) can be either misdemeanor charges or felony charges. The circumstances of the case and the background of the suspect will determine what kind of charges are filed by the state against the individual. DUI felony charges carry much stiffer consequences and are always more serious cases than felony charges. If you find yourself facing DUI charges wondering what kind of charges the state will file against you, contact a DUI attorney as soon as possible. They will be able to provide you with the guidance you need to take the right steps to ensure you do not harm your case any further while in police custody. While in police custody, do not answer any questions until you speak with a lawyer. Be polite and courteous to the officers, but do not do anything that might further incriminate you - which included making "small talk" with the officers.

DUI charges have a number of penalties, such as fines, jail time, counseling, and numerous other things that vary between different jurisdictions. In some states, felony DUI charges are referred to as "aggravated DUI" but the two are one in the same and will always carry stiffer penalties. Any time that you are arrested for DUI, it is imperative that you contact an attorney immediately to reduce your chances of potentially facing felony/aggravated DUI charges.

What elevates a misdemeanor DUI to a felony? Of course, every state is different, so you will always need to check your local laws. However, there are some commonalities. Repeat DUI offenders are often charged with felonies. Some states have a certain blood-alcohol level that raises the case from a misdemeanor to a felony if the individual's blood alcohol level is above that number. Individuals with previous vehicle-related assault or homicide convictions may also be charged with a felony instead of a misdemeanor. And cases that resulted in vehicular assault or homicide charges are also normally filed as felony DUI cases in addition to the assault or homicide charge.

Felony DUI charges will always carry more, and stiffer, consequences. Fines above $20,000 are not uncommon for convictions and jail terms of up to 10 years are possible. Other consequences are suspended drivers licenses, mandatory counseling/alcohol classes, ignition interlock devices (expensive devices that you have to pay to install on your car that require you to pass a breathalyzer before starting the engine), and numerous others - in addition to having a felony conviction on your record which will impact your ability to get a job. Do you really want to have to check the box that says "Yes" next to the question "Have you ever been convicted of a felony?" on your next application or employment screening? DUI attorneys can help reduce the consequences in all of these areas by negotiating with prosecutors, making plea bargains, and arguing the case in court.

That is not to say that misdemeanor DUI offenses should be taken lightly. These can also carry stiff penalties that will undoubtedly impact one's quality of life in a negative way. That is why it is so important to contact a DUI lawyer as soon as possible after being arrested - regardless of whether you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges. Failing to do so will only hurt your chances of success in court or for a plea bargain.
About Author Colin Daives :

Colin Daives writes general information articles about a variety of legal issues. His articles are not legal advice. For more information, or to speak with a professional criminal or DUI lawyer in Colorado, visit http://www.rosenthal-law.net


Article Source: http://www.bharatbhasha.net
Article Url: http://www.bharatbhasha.net/legal.php/210154


Article Added on Tuesday, February 2, 2010
LD
Other Articles by Colin Daives

•Hiring a Denver Criminal Defense Attorney For Theft Charges
Being charged with any crime is never a pleasant experience, but charges of theft can become even more complicated. There are numerous types of theft charges, broken down into either misdemeanor or felony charges. Understanding the different types of theft, and what they mean to you, can be a confusing process. If you've been charged with theft, your best option is to find a criminal lawyer to assist in your defense. An experienced attorney will understand the different clarifications of theft...

•The Different Types of Cases Employment Lawyers Can Help You With
If you need to find the best employment lawyers in your area, it's important to first understand what types of cases they can help you with. In some instances you'll need a civil rights attorney, as many employment issues overlap with civil rights issues. No matter what your situation is, it's a good idea to have as much information as possible before you get started. Following is a brief guide to the various types of employment law cases you might encounter that will help you in evaluating...

•How a Criminal Defense Attorney Helps You With Identity Theft Charges
Even before the invention of the Internet, identity theft crime was a problem for millions of people. Now that the Internet flows into millions of homes around the world, online identity theft is running rampant and new laws are passed every year to combat this growing frustrating problem. When you're charged with identity theft, you need to know what to expect. When a person is convicted of online identity theft, their punishment is based on two factors. The first factor is how much was...

•Accused of a DUI How a DUI Lawyer Can Help
When stopped on suspicion of DUI, too many people think that they can navigate the system without the aid of a DUI lawyer. They may also believe that there is no hope for a defense if a blood alcohol test shows intoxication over the legal limit. Neither of these are true. There are many complicated legal issues at play; only an experienced DUI lawyer will be able to argue effectively on your behalf. If you've never gone through the legal system, you most likely have questions. This DUI lawyer...

•Choosing a Great Criminal Defense Lawyer
The bill of rights is a very special document which entitles everyone to the right of legal representation if they are ever accused of committing a crime. This certainly doesn't mean that all lawyers are the same though; you can't afford to just choose the very first lawyer you find. Choosing the right legal representation can be difficult but is important because it can affect the outcome of your case. There are quite a few things that you must consider to get the very best criminal defense...

•The Importance of Hiring a Lawyer For Drug Charges
If you've been charged with drug crimes, or have come under investigation for them, hiring a criminal lawyer should be the first thing you do. Many people discount how important it is to have effective legal representation – often at the expense of their freedom. With the money and resources that are available to the prosecution, it's essential that you have the right person on your side. Bear in mind that there are two types of attorneys: one type is the inexperienced attorney or public...

•Choosing a Criminal Defense Lawyer Questions You Must Ask
Being accused of a criminal offense can be very stressful, one of the first things that you will need to do is choose yourself the very best legal representation you can get. Finding a criminal defense lawyer can be more difficult than you might imagine as you can't simply flick through the phone book and choose one with an interesting name. You will need to ensure that any criminal defense attorney you choose will be able to work hard on your case, to help decide you should ask them several...

•What Makes a Private Attorney Better Than a Public Attorney
Many people are unaware of what the difference between a private criminal lawyer and a public defender is. The explanation is rather straightforward. A public defender is the legal representation that is provided to a person who is unable to afford one. The public defender is thus charged to protect the interests of the clients whilst being paid by the government. But before a public defender is awarded to the affected individual, an eligibility test is carried out involving an assessment of a...

•How Your DUI Lawyer Can Defend You Possible Defenses in DUI Cases
If you have been arrested on suspicion of DUI, one of the first things you do should be hiring a skilled DUI attorney. A DUI conviction comes with harsh penalties, and if you want to avoid having a DUI conviction affect your life for many years, you must have a strong defense during your DUI court hearing. It takes a skilled attorney to come up with a viable defense strategy. Police officers and judges have heard every denial and excuse under the sun, and it just won't hold a lot of weight in...

•Several Important Questions Clients Should Ask Before Retaining an Attorney
When you're involved in a vehicle accident, you need to speak with an accident lawyer but not just any lawyer. You must find the perfect car accident lawyer. Many people tend to hire the wrong lawyer and don't get the outcome they want or deserve. This usually occurs because people have no idea what to look for from their attorney. If you're wondering where you can go, here are some questions you need to ask the accident attorney you're thinking about retaining. When you want to retain an...

Click here to see More Articles by Colin Daives
Publishers / Webmasters
Tell A Friend
Leave A Comment!
Download this article in PDF
Report Article!
Search through all the articles:


102 Users Online !
Related Articles:
Latest Articles:
 
Legal >> Top 50 Articles on Legal
Category - >
• Advertising • Advice • Affiliate Programs • Automobiles
• Be Your Own Mentor • Careers • Communication • Consumers
• CopyWriting • Crime • Domain Names • DoT com Entrepreneur Corner
• Ebooks • Ecommerce • Education • Email
• Entertainment • Environment • Family • Finance And Business
• Food & Drink • Gardening • Health & Fitness • Hobbies
• Home Business • Home Improvement • Humour • House Holds
• Internet And Computers • Kiddos and Teens • Legal Matters • Mail Order
• Management • Marketing • Marriage • MetaPhysical
• Motivational • MultiMedia • Multi Level Marketing • NewsLetters
• Pets • Psychology • Religion • Parenting
• Politics • Sales • Science • Search Engine Optimization
• Site Promotion • Sports • Technology • Travel
• Web Development • Web Hosting • WeightLoss • Women's Corner
• Writing • Miscellaneous Articles • Real Estate • Arts And Crafts
• Aging


Disclaimer: The information presented and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors
and do not necessarily represent the views of bharatbhasha.net and/or its owners.


Copyright © AwareINDIA. All rights reserved || Privacy Policy || Terms Of Use || Author Guidelines || Free Articles
FAQs Link To Us || Submit An Article || Free Downloads|| Contact Us || Site Map  || Advertise with Us ||
Click here for Special webhosting packages for visitors of this website only!
Vastu Shastra

Linux Hosting Provided By AwareIndia