If you have been charged with a DUI for the first time, or if you are wondering if you should plead guilty, you may be questioning whether or not it is worth it hire a DUI lawyer. The answer to this will, of course, depend on the specifics of your particular case, but in general, it is always best to face these court proceedings with the help of a legal expert, someone who can fight for your rights. And when you are facing fines, an extreme hike in your insurance costs, and other financial losses, you could actually be saving money if you choose to pay legal fees in order to defend against these penalties. Keep reading to get the details of how a DUI attorney can save you money on top of defending your freedom and future.

Financial Penalties for a DUI or DWI Conviction

Almost any sentence for a DUI will include fines. Exactly how much this fine would be depends on any mitigating or aggravating factors in your DUI case, and naturally, the state where you have been charged. But for even a first-time DUI, you could be looking at fines no lower than $300 and nearly as high as $2,000. If you are being charged as a repeat offender, you could be fined $10,000 if you are convicted. You should research your state's laws so that you know exactly what penalties you are confronted with.

First of all, if you are facing anything other than a misdemeanor first-time DUI charge, it is almost advisable that you work with a lawyer, as the penalties you face are severe and life-altering. But even for a first-time DUI, if you are looking at thousands of dollars in fines, you will probably be able to hire a lawyer for less than you would have to cough up in any fines.

Think About Your Job Prospects

If an employee is convicted of a DUI, this on its own could be enough for them to lose their job, and if a jail or prison sentence accompanies that conviction, then that job is likely as good as gone. And whether or not you are employed right now, a DUI conviction could come up every time you apply for work, likely coming between you and any prospects of a good job.

No lawyer worth their salt can promise you that they will keep you out of jail, but your chances for avoiding a sentence of incarceration can improve when you have a legal advocate on your side. An experienced DUI attorney may even be able to help you avoid a conviction altogether, avoiding the worst penalty of a DUI: a criminal record. This result could have immeasurable financial benefit. But even if you are going to plead guilty to a DUI, a lawyer may be able to work out a plea bargain for you, keeping you out of jail, or at least reducing your sentence.

Calculate Your Insurance Premiums

If you are convicted of a DUI, you insurance premiums will skyrocket, assuming you can even get insurance. Premiums often quadruple after such a conviction. And if an insurer refuses to cover you, you could effectively lose your driving privileges, regardless of what happens to your license. Almost all states require every driver to carry proof of insurance, and then there are even jobs where you would have to be insured. Not only is this severely limiting, but it could be enough to ruin your job outlook. Again, you can avoid these penalties if you can avoid conviction, or by getting your charge or sentence reduced. Any of these options usually requires the technical expertise of a DUI attorney.

Saving Money by Fighting Your DUI Charge

If you are convicted of a DUI or DWI, not only could you face a jail or prison sentence, but you could be looking at a future with bleak job prospects on top of already losing thousands of dollars. With essentially the rest of your life on the line, do you really want to face this process alone? There are numerous defenses that a DUI attorney may be able to find to get your charges dismissed or reduced, defenses that can include:

• The police stop was unlawful
• There was no justified cause for an arrest
• Field sobriety test results were mistaken
• DUI tests were incorrectly administered by the officer
• Errors were committed in testing the blood or breath samples

Learn how you may be able to mount an aggressive defense against your DUI charges when you contact a DUI lawyer on our directory today!