3 Ways A Criminal Lawyer Can Save You Money If You're Charged With A DUI
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious crime, but many Americans are arrested and charged with this offense each day. Most states have very stiff penalties and punishments for those who are convicted of DUI, so it is in your best interest to hire a reputable criminal lawyer who is experienced in defending DUI cases. The fees involved in hiring a criminal lawyer to represent you in your DUI cases may be high, but in the long run your lawyer can save you money in the following ways:
Reduction of Fines
A DUI conviction often comes with large expenses in the form of fines and fees for alcohol awareness classes. In some cases it could take you many months or years to pay off these fines and fees, which can result in financial hardship. If you hire a talented criminal lawyer, he or she may be able to work with the prosecutors to reduce the fines and fees that you have to pay, which in many cases can be thousands of dollars. In the long run, this reduction of fines can be well worth the cost of hiring a lawyer.
Possibility of Minimal or No Jail Time
If you are convicted of a DUI, you may or may not be mandated to serve jail time depending on your states' laws. But a lawyer can negotiate on your behalf to reduce jail time as much as possible. As a result, you'll miss less time from work and you'll lose less money due to absence from your job. In addition, depending on your charges and circumstances, a criminal lawyer may help you from spending an extended time in jail or prison, which can help you from losing your job.
Reduced Charges Can Help Your Insurance Rates
If you are convicted of a DUI, you can count on your auto insurance rates skyrocketing. Insurance companies consider a person with a previous DUI, especially an extreme DUI, to be a high risk, and the rates reflect that. The amount that your rates rise depend on what charges you are actually convicted of.
Your lawyer may be able to fight on your behalf to have an extreme DUI reduced, which will save you a substantial amount of money on your car insurance premiums each month. Over the course of the time that a DUI stays on your record, you can save a lot of money if your lawyer is able to get the court to reduce your charges.