If you are preparing to go to court for a DUI second offense of driving under the influence, you must be prepared to face a stiffer penalty than you did with your first offense. It is essential to prepare for your court appearance by having all of the facts in front of you before you appear before the judge.
Appearing in Court for a Second DUI Offense
When you appear in court on a DUI for a second offense you will find the penalties are much harsher than those to which you were subjected during your first offense. In some states you may even spend some time in jail—the time may vary from 60 days to a year at the discretion of the judge that hears your case. You can also expect to lose your license for at least one year but quite possibly in the area of 18 months before you are facing charges of a second DUI.
Appealing Your Case
If you know the right people and do some homework, you may be able to get out of the DUI or at least spend less time in jail and lose your license for a shorter amount of time. However, it will be necessary to obtain a lawyer who is not only experienced in DUI cases but one that is well known in your community and has good relationships with any judges and prosecutors that may hear your case. While you may not be successful in having the charges dropped, there is a good chance you will be able to obtain a better plea.
Avoiding Conviction
In order to avoid a conviction for a DUI as a second offense you must be prepared before you appear in court. You will find a number of guides in bookstores and online that will help you make sure you cover all the bases before your court appearance. These guides provide step by step instructions on what to do at each phase of your case.
Legal Assistance
Before you go to court on a second offense DUI it is essential to obtain a lawyer that is experience in the legalities of DUI convictions. You do not want to attempt to represent yourself in court or you are likely to receive a harsher sentence than you would face if you were to have a DUI lawyer pleading your case before the judge and prosecutor.
