I've been doing alot of research online and I cannot find any straight answers. I hope someone can help. Is it true that you go to jail on your first offense? I know someone that didint, but her BAC was about a .08 and she did not have any prior run-ins w/ the law. But then I've heard of people going to jail for several days. In addition, I let the first 10 days pass w/out having a DMV hearing, what do I have left to fight for? If they had a good reason to pull me over and my BAC was over the legal limit. Is it better to just plead no contest or guilty instead of plea bargaining?
I think most people will agree that the penalties for DUI are so harsh, and life-long, that it makes sense for almost anyone to try to protect himself.
I know there is an advantage in having an attorney file for the formal review within those first ten days, but most attys will say 'all is not lost' even if you don't.
The point is, the penalties for DUI do not 'go away' long after you have learned your lesson and paid your debt to society (and you do pay). So if you have a family or plan to have one, it makes sense to defend yourself vigorously.
You want to be careful to pick an attorney that is really a go-getter and involves you in the process. Don't focus so much on the retainer fee (I made that mistake the first time I had legal business .... never again). The cost of poor representation is immense, psychically and financially.
Also, the therapy suggestion is a good one. Sometimes judges will mandate it, in fact, but if you're struggling with shame and guilt (many charged with DUI are), therapy can help you get some peace and defend yourself more effectively.
