Driving under the influence (or DUI as it is commonly known) is considered a serious criminal offense throughout the U.S. therefore, it is important to hire a competent Fairfax DUI lawyer to help you navigate the challenging legal issues around the charges under this law, especially if the matter advances to the court.

While not all DUI charges warrant hiring a lawyer, there are numerous circumstances under which a person arrested for DUI offense should consider the professional help of a criminal lawyer who has the right skills and experience dealing with complex issues of law. A lawyer will prove extremely important, especially because of the punitive consequences that come with these offenses. Your lawyer will help to rebut the prosecution evidence, including the breathalyzer as well as blood tests. Where the evidence is obvious that you were under the influence while driving, your lawyer may enter a plea bargain to help reduce the penalties.

If you are a second or subsequent offender, you stand a higher chance of conviction or higher penalties. You need to let a professional handle your case if you caused injuries to another person or caused damage to property. Depending on the severity of the charges, your lawyer will give you the right support throughout the entire period of the trial. Your lawyer can also engage the services of other legal experts and private investigators to help neutralize the evidence adduced before the court.

Reduce the Severity of the Charge

There are numerous ways your charges may cause an increase in the charges or penalties upon conviction. For instance, causing severe injuries to another person may potentially change your case from misdemeanor to felony and the nature of the penalties may vary depending on the kind of harm caused to the victims. Death or damage to property could attract additional charges.

Your Lawyer Will Help Avoid Conviction

One way your attorney can help you is by avoiding a possible conviction once the case is before a jury or a judge. However, the ordinary way your lawyer can help is by entering a plea bargain and offering to negotiate for a lower charge or penalty instead of a custodial sentence. Your lawyer may consider accepting compromises with the prosecution lawyer to avoid a conviction. Your Fairfax DUI lawyer will use counter-witness statements to help refute the prosecution’s evidence and using their expertise to push for a favorable verdict.