Springbreak is a time to cut loose and have fun. Most spring breakers in Seattle, Washington, travel to remote locations where they can paint the town red by partying all night. However, the combination of big crowds, lots of drinking, and poor choices can lead to unfortunate accidents, and just like that, your vacation might end with a DUI.
Getting a DUI is a sobering moment for sure, but will your spring break arrest affect you in your home state? It will, and the first thing you should do is contact a local attorney in the county where you committed the offense. Having a good lawyer on your side from the beginning of your case is essential for your case and can even save your day.
According to Weber Law, a lawyer can get you a case dismissal or negotiate a deal, preventing you from going to court. Knowing your rights and how much information to disclose is also essential. Try to remember everything that happened during your DUI charge and give your lawyer all the necessary details.
Know Your Rights
Every state has its own laws, but many of them are similar, and others have slight differences between them. But what stays the same is that you are not allowed to drink and drive. To abide by Washington’s Driving Regulations, you must not have over 0.08% alcohol content in your blood, over five nanograms of THC, or be under any influence that can affect your ability to operate a vehicle.
During your arrest, you will be presented with a breathalyzer exam, used to determine if you have any amount of alcohol in your blood. Tell your lawyer about every detail of the process. Sometimes, it can lead to a case dismissal because breathalyzer and field sobriety tests aren’t always reliable.
Suppose the level of your offense is high enough to get you sentenced. In that case, you might have your driver’s license suspended for up to 90 days and attend an educational program and treatment for addiction. These are only a few sentencing scenarios. A lawyer would be able to give you more critical insights about your particular case.
Keep Your Cool
Remember that you have the right to remain silent during your encounter with police officers. Be respectful and provide your identification but do not give any details about what you were doing. If you panic, you might share details that could incriminate you later.
Try to keep calm and stay level-headed. Allow the officer to explain your rights to you and present your options. Contact a local lawyer as soon as possible and provide all the information needed. Getting respectable representation in court raises your chances of getting a lower sentence or having your charges dropped altogether.
Be Smart and Hire a Lawyer
A good lawyer can be costly sometimes, but you should consider it an investment in your future, especially if you want to avoid a criminal record. Some law firms offer one free consultation, where you will find out vital information about your particular case.
You will have the option to make the right choice and guard yourself with trustworthy legal representation. A DUI charge can affect your future in the long term, as any charge put on your criminal record will be made public.
