Obviously get a lawyer. This is a first time offense, how much is it gonna cost? Will it really be on my record forever? Do I have to go to SATOP? Please help me, I'm stressing.
2007-07-19 01:31:47 · 5 answers · asked by Baby 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Of course a lawyer is the way to go but how much you spend is the key.
Now you mentioned money. Think of it this way. If you are convicted of a DWI it will stick with you for many years. For one most any white collar job does a background check. But more and more even blue collar jobs do so as it reduces their insurance rates. So that will end up costing you money eventually. Then there is your insurance that will cost thousands more for years if convicted. So best to spend the money now.
A good lawyer can do many things. For one they might get it reduced to a reckless but you still do SATOP. A reckless is far better than a DWI. In my state you can volunteer to do the version of SATOP before court. If you go before you can pay something like $300 and do a two day class. If the court orders it it can be the $700 and over several weeks class. Plus think about it...... if you have already done it why would the judge order it and it would look like you honestly realize your mistake.
Your lawyer could continue the case to another time letting you take care of these things. You yourself could go to court and say that you need it continued and will return next time w. a lawyer. You could even hit a few AA meetings (even if it is just a having too much wine kind of thing at a restaurant). The fact that you did would sway the judge.
You could tell the lawyer to have a writ of appeal ready. That means if convicted you will be set free immediately and it appears that you will keep it going. The prosecution, having to also account for money spent would rather let you go and take 10 other people out of the pond. A good lawyer can do this.
There are too many things to list and it depends on your circumstances..Here is the point. Continue once to get some breathing room if the court date is soon. Minimum for a decent lawyer if you have the right idea is about $1000. $2000, $2500 and you will get a good deal regardless. A good lawyer has a reputation and knows the prosecutors, police and judges.
It is a small price to pay considering future costs. If even say 7 years later you come out of a restaurant after having a nice meal and get busted because of only 2 drinks. Then it would be your second DWI..... meaning untold thousands. Even for the first one car insurance alone could be an extra thousand or so for a few years. Health insurance rates can go up or when you sign up can be higher. And of course there is the ever present thing about it being on your record forever.
Shop around, speak to several lawyers and spend the money now if you have access to it.
2007-07-19 07:02:53 · answer #1 · answered by jackson 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are under 21 you might be able to get a underage offender status so it'll go off of your record. You're looking at paying around $1500 for the fines, classes, and lawyer fees.
2007-07-19 01:34:30 · answer #2 · answered by civil_av8r 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most attorneys will give you a free consultation -- where you can ask all of these questions and get reliable answers.
2007-07-19 03:58:43 · answer #3 · answered by Sport 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Deny the offense or admit it but cite valid defenses.
2007-07-19 01:35:48 · answer #4 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Criminal Records Search Database : http://CriminalRecords.InfoSearchDetective.com
2015-02-09 17:47:10 · answer #5 · answered by Ethel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋