How Often Should I Meet With My DUI Attorney?
When it comes to a DUI, the first crucial step is to sit down with an attorney. This initial meeting is not just a chance to discuss your case and the circumstances of your pullover and arrest, but a pivotal moment that sets the tone for your legal journey. It's important to note that sometimes, individuals aren't pulled over but are found outside their car when the police arrive due to an accident or a flat tire. This meeting is your opportunity to understand your rights and potential defenses in a DUI case, and it's a step towards finding the best possible outcome for your situation.
There can be various reasons why the person isn't pulled over, but that can also be a defense for a DUI case.
The first meeting with your attorney is crucial. During this meeting, I gather all the facts and details specific to your case. This allows us to leave the meeting with a clear game plan. You'll know exactly what steps to take in your DUI case in Los Angeles, and you'll understand how I will assist you.
Receipt of Paperwork at the Arraignment
After the initial meeting, the next meeting will probably be after all of the paperwork related to the case has been obtained at the arraignment. Also, your attorney has discussed with the prosecutor to see what their position is. Once I speak to the prosecutors, I listen to what they have to say.
After hearing the prosecutor's perspective, it's my role to present your side of the story. I will discuss your version of events, the mitigating circumstances surrounding the DUI arrest, and any potential defenses. This comprehensive approach is designed to help us decide on the best strategy for your DUI case.
Strategy Session
Following the initial meeting, we'll have another session to discuss the strategy for your DUI case. Your input and understanding of the process are crucial, whether it's a jury trial or a negotiation with the prosecutors. We'll explore potential defenses and decide on a strategy that aligns with your goals and circumstances.
Or, if it's a case where they have the evidence against you, but we need to present mitigating factors to the prosecutors or judge, then obviously we will talk about that; I'll have you collect any character letters if that's appropriate in your particular case. We'll talk about any potential defenses at the meeting, and then we will decide strategy-wise what we will do related to your DUI matter moving forward.
If we decide to resolve the case in court, the next meeting will be crucial. We will go in prepared to discuss and potentially resolve the case. If further meetings are necessary, we will schedule them accordingly. However, the most important meeting is the one where we have all the facts and details related to your DUI case. This meeting will set the stage for the court resolution process.
We have both read those facts and details. Then, we can start deciding how we're going to resolve your case—whether we're going to resolve it by fighting the prosecutors or by negotiating with them.
Regardless of the strategy we choose, our ultimate goal is to secure the best possible outcome for you based on the circumstances of your DUI arrest. We aim to navigate the legal system swiftly while safeguarding your driver's license, rights, freedom, and reputation. This commitment is designed to give you hope and confidence during this challenging time, knowing that we are dedicated to achieving the best result for you.
DMV Hearing
Another aspect of a DUI case that bears discussion has to do with the police taking your driver's license away after they arrested you, giving you that pink driver's license, and dealing with the DMV.
As you probably already know, once they arrest you and take your driver's license away, you have ten days to call the DMV or have your attorney do it on your behalf and set up a hearing. You also want to ask for a stay on any suspension typically so that you can drive while you wait for your DMV hearing.
At the end of the hearing, the DMV hearing officer will tell your attorney that they will decide, and they will send letters to you and the client so that you will be notified of their decision regarding suspending your driver's license.
So, after those meetings that I've mentioned, if there are any other meetings beyond that, it's something that the lawyer and the client agree upon. It will benefit the client in some way to meet — whether in court or the attorney's office.
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