Facing a DUI Conviction: Why You Need a Lawyer

A charge of driving under the influence or impaired driving is nothing to consider a minor bump in the road.

11:07 24 June 2020

This is the type of thing that can set your career back quite a bit. Depending on the circumstances, things may never be the same. If you want to do everything possible to manage this situation, you need the help that only a Toronto DUI lawyer can provide. Here are some of the ways your legal counsel will seek to ensure that you are represented properly in court.

 

Evaluating the Facts About Your Case

 

The legal counsel will want to know all there is to know about the situation. What were you doing at the time of the arrest? Was anyone else with you? What reason did the authorities mention when they first approached you? What was the blood alcohol reading that was taken at the time?

 

These are only some of the questions that the lawyer will ask. Remember that you need to provide as many details as possible. Even if it’s something unrelated to any of the questions, pass the information along. You’re not in a position to determine what has some meaning to your case and what doesn’t, but your lawyer will know.

 

Did the Authorities Follow Procedure?

 

If your lawyer seems to ask a lot of detailed questions about what the police did before, during, and after the arrest, understand that there are reasons for that. The goal is to determine if the officers followed standard procedures at all times.

 

Should the lawyer come across any lapses in the judgment of the officers, that could be grounds to petition the court for a DUI acquittal. This is especially true if the officers cannot convince the court that there was a good reason for them to circumvent one or more procedures.

 

Preparing a Viable Defense

 

After reviewing all of the evidence, the lawyer will begin preparing the defense. Expect to be involved in that process. There may be the need for you to make statements in court, or possibly be questioned by both sides. You also need to understand exactly what is expected in terms of decorum while in the courtroom. Proper preparation as well as conduct will go a long way toward avoiding issues that could complicate the case.

 

Helping You Prepare for the Worst While Hoping for the Best

 

While there are situations when it’s a good idea to project a rosy outcome, facing a DUI conviction is not one of them. Your lawyer will be frank about the possible outcomes for the case. That includes outlining the worst possible scenario as well as the best.

 

Why does this matter? By understanding what could happen and maybe even what the lawyer believes is the most likely outcome, it’s easier for you to make preparations. Those range from planning for alternatives to driving yourself for a time, paying fines, talking with your boss about using personal days while you spend a little time behind bars, and a number of other tasks.

 

If you’ve been arrested for impaired driving or a DUI, now is the time to secure legal counsel. Work closely with your lawyer and hold back nothing in terms of information. By ensuring your lawyer has access to all the details, the odds of achieving the best possible outcome are a little better.