If you have been charged with driving under the influence, or DUI, there are important steps you should take (and a few you should not take) after your arrest. The actions you take after a DUI may have a serious impact on your case.
First, you should consult with an experienced DUI defense attorney as soon as possible after your arrest. Your DUI defense attorney is experienced in these claims and knows how to build strong defenses in your case. The sooner you speak with a DUI attorney, the better.
Additionally, it is also wise to write down your version of the events surrounding your arrest. As the days and weeks go on, you may forget important details that may be used to defend your case. Make note of the time and location of your stop, why the officer stated you were being stopped, and whether you took a Breathalyzer test. You should also make note of any field sobriety tests you were asked to take, and any reasons that you may have failed them. For example, if your legs were sore from a strenuous gym workout, you may have had a valid excuse for failing the one-leg stand test.
Social media may be your worst enemy when you are facing criminal charges. If your social media profiles are not already private, change your settings. Prosecutors and other criminal investigators appreciate it when defendants share pictures of themselves drinking shortly before a DUI arrest.
Additionally, do not discuss your case on social media. Although it may be tempting to go online and clear your name, it is best to stay quiet. Making a post on Facebook will not add any significant value to your defense—in fact, it may hurt it.
Were there any witnesses to your DUI arrest? Do you have friends that may be able to state that you were not drinking that night? Write down their names and contact information and ask them to write down what they witnessed as well. Provide this information to your criminal defense attorney.
Do not speak to any investigators, prosecutors, or other members of law enforcement without your attorney present. The goal for these individuals is to prove that you were drinking and driving. Even if you think a statement supports your innocence, it may be used against you later in your case.
Make sure that you stay in touch with your criminal defense attorney once you have hired one. The attorney-client relationship is much like a partnership—you need your attorney’s legal advice and expertise, and your attorney needs you to provide the details surrounding the arrest. Always respond to your attorney’s questions in a timely manner, take your attorney’s advice, and show up early for any court hearings that are scheduled.
Have you been arrested for DUI? Contact our experienced New Jersey DUI attorneys today
At Lomurro Law, our New Jersey DUI attorneys are skilled negotiators and possess excellent trial advocacy skills. We work hard to obtain the best results possible in your case. To schedule your free consultation, call 732-482-9285 or contact us online.