If your husband intends to plead guilty, he won't need a lawyer. He would then just pay the fines and serve whatever other sentences are imposed by the court (alcohol classes - etc.).
He will need a lawyer if he intends on fighting the charges. Unfortunately, lawyers are not cheap! A friend of mine paid $2500 for one and she still got charged for DUI. However, she did get her sentence reduced from an Extreme DUI to a regular DUI. Pretty much all DUI Lawyers will give you a free consultation and will tell you how much their fees are then.
He can get a public defender if he cannot afford a lawyer on his own. The sentencing court will have him list his income and will make a determination on whether he qualifies for one or not. He may have to pay some money out, but not nearly as much as if he hired a private lawyer.
As far as the effect on his license - when someone gets a DUI, most states will suspend your license for 90 days (30 days of no driving, 60 days of having a restricted license where he can only go to work, school-etc.). If his license was already suspended at the time of his DUI arrest, he will lose his license for a longer period of time, and may be subject to additional fines and punishments if he gets convicted for the DUI.
You can go to http://www.1800duilaws.com - that site will give you an idea of what kind of punishments are imposed for DUI in each state and also has information on finding a lawyer in your area. Keep in mind that the fines may end up being a lot more than what they list due to surcharges - etc.
I hope this information is helpful. Good luck to you!
2007-08-09 11:45:06
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answer #1
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answered by ? 4
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2016-06-02 23:41:32
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answer #2
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answered by ? 3
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He should be very careful in selecting a lawyer. the key element is a good working relationship with the judges: I have seen people fare much worse than they would have by representing themselves simply because the attorney annoyed the judge.
An attorney who specializes in DUI may also have access to forensic "expert" witnesses who specialize in refuting the evidence in DUI cases. I don't know how effective this strategy is, though, because i've never seen it in the courtroom. That strategy could easily backfire if the judge has had bad experiences with the particular witness of his kind in general.
Whatever the outcome of the case, your husband MUST face up to his problem with alcohol. When a person is first caught driving under the influence, he/she/ has usually been doing so regularly for some time. Getting caught can be an isolated incident; driving drunk never is. This DUI charge is a small but visible part of a much larger problem.
One afterthought: it may be possible to work out a deal with the officer of the prosecutor before the trial that would involve voluntary participation in a program of some sort in exchange for reducing the DUI to another charge that does not involve the loss of his license.
2007-08-08 06:49:11
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answer #3
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answered by nightserf 5
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unfortunately I have exp. with this. I got a DUI back in 2001 and in my state there was a $700 fine. A suspended license until I took ADSAP (A program for alcohol and drug safety) that was $400, and I also had to carry SR22 insurance for 3 years. I would not think he needs a lawyer unless he is going to fight the DUI.
I hope this was helpful., I learned my lesson. Will not drive if I have had even one drink. Good Luck, this to Will pass
2007-08-08 06:42:48
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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It's a bit late now - but still better late than never.
I got a lawyer, the day I was stopped for 93 in a 40 (misdemeanor). The lawyer contacted the courts, before the case got to the prosecution service & I did 1-day traffic school & the charge was dismissed.
$2700 seemed pretty steep - but driving a Corvette, with that as my second speeding ticket........just imagine what my insurance would have been !
2007-08-08 06:40:06
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answer #5
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answered by dryheatdave 6
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You form of screwed your self once you submitted to the blood attempt except you thought which you have been below the legal shrink...Had you no longer accomplished that all and sundry which you may properly be charged with replaced into "failure to take a chemical attempt" or some thing to that result...it may of ended in a automated suspension (6 months in maximum states, 1st offense), yet you does no longer of had to do any alcohol instructions or the different "activities" that are sentenced in a DUI case...With that reported your maximum suitable direction of action could properly be to basically ask to be appointed a public defender (if your an adolescent w/o a solid activity or a pupil that's uncomplicated), with the aid of fact the sentences for a DUI are quite prevalent for a 1st offense as long as there's no extenuating circumstances ( previous reckless utilising, this DUI ended in an twist of destiny, ect...)...Now in case you do locate an high priced, linked sufficient legal expert I easily have seen human beings have each thing from costs dropped (which might of been hardship-free in case you probably did no longer take the blood attempt) to the prevalent (~$2000 nice, sufferer effect panel, and of entirety of alcohol guidance instructions)...So except that's an case with specific circumstances, it incredibly is maximum suitable to keep you funds and attempt to get the common public defender..gl
2016-10-01 21:48:27
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answer #6
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answered by geissel 4
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In Oregon, if he wants to get a hardship license to drive, he needs to request a dmv hearing within 10 days of receiving the ticket. No exceptions. If I were him, I would get a lawyer, because a lawyer can also negotiate a diversion plan and possibly reduce his fine and stuff. And request that DMV hearing, he has nothing to lose to request it.
2007-08-08 06:37:55
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answer #7
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answered by Eisbär 7
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Ahhhh his first! I know he's excited. I remember my first like it was yesterday. Since then I've had so many it's hard to remember them all but the first is special and you never forget it.
Lawyer or not remember to take plenty of pictures and you might want to take him out to dinner to celebrate this being his first.
Good luck to both of you. It's only his first but he's chosen a wonderous path full of excitement. I bet ya'll are both really excited and can't wait for his first vehicular homicde.
But be patient. All in good time!
2007-08-08 07:08:35
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answer #8
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answered by hoovarted 7
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If you were facing a serious disease, wouldn't you want a doctor to help cure it? Your husband is facing some serious charges, get a lawyer!!!!
2007-08-08 06:44:35
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answer #9
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answered by joseph b 6
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Yes. Those who represent themselves get the worst deals because the prosecutor knows they don't know the ins and outs of the legal system.
2007-08-08 06:49:09
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answer #10
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answered by Lisa S 3
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