Hiring a Criminal and DUI Defense Attorney

If you have been charged with DUI or another criminal offense in Alexandria, VA it is essential that you retain an experienced criminal and DUI defense attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights. A drunk driving conviction can have significant long-term effects on your life. The effects may include loss of driving privileges, fines, mandatory counseling, and even jail time.

The first step in hiring an attorney is to conduct your research. You can use the internet or social media to search for a list of attorneys in your area and contact them for a consultation. You can also ask friends and family for recommendations.

You should meet with at least two or three lawyers before you choose the best one for your case. This will give you the opportunity to see what each lawyer is like and find out if they are the right fit for you. You should choose an attorney based on their communication style, their confidence in your case, and whether you feel comfortable with them.

A qualified Alexandria DUI / DWI – Reckless Driving – Criminal Lawyer will look at every element of your case and build a defense against the charges. This includes reviewing your arrest and any field sobriety tests, the breath test at the station, and how the blood or breath testing was performed.

It is important to understand that you have the right to refuse any of these tests in Alexandria. In fact, there is a law that states that you cannot be compelled to take any of these tests.

Additionally, police officers are required to read a suspect their Miranda rights upon arrest and inform them of their right to remain silent. Having an attorney from our firm present during any questioning can reinforce your refusal to submit to field sobriety tests or answer any questions by police officers.

After an initial arraignment, your DUI case will be set for status or trial depending on the type of testing that was done. In many cases, the testing will be considered as probable cause to make an arrest for DUI.

Once your case is scheduled for status or trial, you will be given a date to appear in court and have your trial. This date is usually a week or two later than your arraignment.

Your trial date will be scheduled in either the General District or Circuit courts. If you decide to appeal, this can be done within 10 days of the trial.

During the trial, your DUI attorney will present evidence to challenge the police’s claim that you were driving under the influence. This can include presenting any evidence that the police officer did not have a valid reason to stop you.

The trial will also look at the evidence that the prosecution presented to prove your BAC or blood alcohol concentration was above the legal limit. This can be challenging because the police officer’s claims are based on subjective factors.