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Preparation Makes All the Difference
If you are facing a DUI court appearance, you may have a mixture of strong emotions. While most of what may occur is out of your hands, preparing for the appearance isn’t, and with a strong strategy in place, you can give yourself some peace of mind now and help ease the navigation of your time in court.
By teaming up with the right defense lawyer, you can ensure that you have a thorough understanding of what the future may hold and an effective plan to help provide the best outcome.
thorough Understanding of the Charges
Information is powerful, and this is no exception with an impending court case and charges. Work with your attorney to fully understand the charges you are facing and the potential fines or penalties associated with those charges.
Understanding the process can also help ease your mind. Will it be one court appearance or likely multiple before your charges and case are resolved? What does the timeline look like? How much work or time away from my family can I expect in dealing with the DUI charge?
Your experienced attorney can answer all of these questions so you have a clear picture in your mind and can proceed confidently.
Gather All Necessary Documents
Work with your attorney to determine what documents are relative and necessary to have for your first and any follow-up appearances. Having easy access to these documents can help your attorney provide you with the best protection and can help clarify any items that you may question.
For example, you may have a police report or documents from the county regarding the specific charges or instructions regarding your conditions of release while you await your court date. Review these with your attorney to ensure you understand them so you aren’t inadvertently subjecting yourself to further charges by not being compliant.
It’s important to gather documentation of all communication you have had with your attorney, any emails or messages you may have received from the county or state regarding your upcoming court date, and more.
Appearance is Important
You may not realize your appearance is essential, but it can help establish that you are a responsible and contributing member of society and that you are taking the charges seriously and willing to learn from your mistakes.
Choose clothing that presents well, such as freshly pressed pants or clean shoes. Avoid clothing that is too tight or has obvious signs of wear, such as holes or rips.
Avoid wearing clothing that may include offensive language, as you will report to courts, and a judge may take this as a signal that you aren’t ready to take the charges seriously or are trying to send a message that you don’t have respect for authority.
Avoid jewelry or other accessories that are too large or flashy. If you have visible tattoos that are unprofessional, consider covering these up using makeup or sleeves on a shirt.
Though the clothes you wear may not significantly impact the outcome of your case, wearing something that may be seen as offensive may be just enough for the judge to change their perspective on you or the charges you are facing.
Communication is Key
Be prepared to listen closely to the conversation that is going on in the courtroom and stay engaged. Avoid distractions like your phone or drawing/doodling because you may be anxious.
Clearly communicate when answering questions and avoid vulgar language. Work with your attorney to understand the typical questions you may be facing so you can prepare concise and clear answers to the questions from the judge.
If you don’t understand a question, you are allowed to ask for clarification, and you should. It’s easy to get caught up in the emotions of the court system, and you want to avoid inadvertently answering a question wrong simply because you didn’t understand it.
Respectful Behavior Can Go A Long Way
Regardless of your opinions on the charges you face, the court system, or anything else, you should try to put your feelings aside while in court. It’s temporary, and showing respect is likely reciprocated by the judge.
Arrive early, and give yourself time to compose yourself as necessary. If you arrive late, you may miss valuable questions or, worse, can risk having your case postponed or dismissed, further drawing out the court process or creating additional legal issues that are easily avoided.
When you arrive early, you can also use this time to observe other cases in the courtroom and learn how the process works. Arriving early also allows you to clearly communicate with your lawyer regarding any last-minute questions or changes to the information you have previously discussed.
Experience You Can Rely On
With several years of experience as a prosecutor, this unique experience lends well to understanding what our clients face with charges and what to expect in a prosecution’s strategy. Starting as far back as 2008, our team has been dedicated to defending those charged with a DUI.
We respect the struggles that you may be facing, the confusion as to what to expect, being fearful of the consequences you may be facing, and the frustrations you may feel.
We treat our clients as we treat our loved ones, with the respect and dedication to their needs that they deserve. The outcome may be somewhat unknown, but your ability to rely on our team is something you can be sure of.
We will work with you to navigate the process and formulate a strategy that brings the best outcome for your specific situation.
Call our office at (866) 927-3295 to schedule your free initial consultation and to learn more.
