DUI Charge and Magistrate Court

In the United States, issues not specifically outlined in the Constitution as federal matters are relegated to the decision of each individual state.  Therefore, each state possesses their own unique laws, not to mention unique criminal justice systems.  These systems widely vary based on regional location.  In some states, the use of magistrate courts is implemented to deal with relatively minor infractions of local laws, which may include misdemeanors such as driving under the influence.  Many times, a magistrate judge functions in the same capacity as any other judge.  States utilizing magistrate judges in the United States currently include Ohio, Georgia, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. These magistrates oversee legal proceedings at a local or municipal level in their given jurisdiction, which can include magistrate dui arrest.

DUI Arrests and Jurisdiction

Magistrate dui arrest requires the defendant’s case to be tried in a magistrate court of the jurisdiction where the arrest occurred.  Again, these courts are very jurisdiction specific in procedure, protocol, and authority, however, a defendant in all cases is essentially facing dui municipal court, but at a local level.  The process is similar to dui municipal court for most magistrate dui arrests and court proceedings; therefore, having an attorney present is important.  An attorney from the jurisdiction of your arrest is also of paramount importance, as the customs and traditions of magistrate courts may significantly vary from those found in municipal courts elsewhere.

Getting Legal Help for DUI Arrests in Magistrate Courts

A local attorney, one familiar with the courtroom procedures in the jurisdiction of your arrest, is essential.  Like any other attorney, these individuals will attempt to prevent dui jail time for defendants, as well as minimize other consequences from the conviction.  Aside from mitigating dui jail time, an attorney will actively seek to have the charges dropped on any number of grounds, if applicable to your specific dui case.  Seeking your own legal counsel will only increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome.  Pro se representation, as well as use of a public defender, exponentially decreases the ability of a defendant to exercise the best legal strategy in their interest from the start.  Therefore, use of an experience dui attorney from the jurisdiction of your arrest is highly advisable.