7 Ways Your DUI Defense Lawyer Can Help Secure a Reduced Penalty
If you’ve been stopped on suspicion of DUI, you know how scary the situation can be. There’s dealing with the police, attempting a field sobriety test on the side of the road, and the ensuing stress and uncertainty—oh, and don’t forget about the jail time, either. While there’s never a good excuse to drink and drive, unfortunately, sometimes it happens. That’s why it’s critically important to get the services of an expert Oklahoma DUI defense lawyer if you have a pending DUI charge.Free Resources from OKC DUI Lawyers and Your Fierce Advocates®: Our team of Your Fierce Advocates® at Cannon & Associates is led by our founder and Army veteran, John Cannon. We are privileged to defend clients facing OKC DUI charges, Edmond DUI charges, and DUI charges across Oklahoma. We also fight for client’s driving privileges following an Oklahoma DUI arrest. Find FREE RESOURCES on our YouTube page and our website, until we meet to answer your specific questions. You may also CALL NOW at (405) 972-8604, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week for a free case planning session!While you may have thought the part where you got arrested was the worst, the upcoming court dates can be just as stressful. If you’ve been arrested for a DUI, you need the help of an experienced attorney with the knowledge and resilience to help you secure a reduced penalty. That’s where we come in. Here Cannon and Associates in Oklahoma City, we have the expertise and tough demeanor required to advocate for your best interests in a DUI case.
7 Ways Your DUI Defense Lawyer Can Help Secure a Reduced Penalty
1. Negotiate on Your Behalf
The first way an experienced DUI Defense Lawyer can help you get a reduced sentence is by negotiating for the best deal possible. When it comes to DUI law in Oklahoma, you need a DUI defense firm with the right skills and knowledge to advocate and fight for your rights. We can also help by negotiating with the prosecutor and judge on your behalf. Our team of intelligent attorneys has the superior negotiation skills, tact, and intelligence required to get you the best sentence possible.
2. Examine Your Case
The team here at Cannon and Associates Law Firm has extensive experience examining DUI cases of all kinds, and we’ve literally seen it all. Not every DUI stop and arrest is by the books, and not every police department has the budget for body cameras, which is why it’s crucial to find all the information we can about your case. We examine every facet of your arrest to determine if your rights were violated. We look at police reports, witness statements, and every piece of available evidence.In fact, if we find that something wasn’t right with your DUI arrest, we can help you secure a reduced sentence or dismissal. That’s a powerful negotiation tool and leverage to help you get the outcome you want. We take an innovative yet uncompromising approach to all of our client’s cases to ensure they get superior representation and, if at all possible, a reduced sentence.
3. Experienced DUI Attorneys Know the Law
Hiring a DUI attorney in Oklahoma City has many benefits that can help you get a reduced sentence in your case. The lawyers here at Cannon and Associates Law Firm have years of courtroom experience, and we specialize in DUI cases. Our defense lawyers have a comprehensive knowledge of DUI law and how to get the best sentence possible, no matter what the circumstances.For instance, did you know you don’t have to be driving to get a DUI or similar charge? In Oklahoma, the law states that you must be driving on a public roadway while being under the influence. This means that if you’re parked in a car with the keys in your hand, they can charge you with Actual Physical Control (APC). Even if the engine isn’t running and the keys are in your pocket, you can still be arrested!
What Qualifies as “Under the Influence?”
You may hear the words “Under the Influence” and automatically think of drunk driving. The legal limit in Oklahoma (and most states in the U.S.) is 0.08% BAC. However, you don’t have to be drunk to get a DUI. If you’re taking prescription pills, smoking marijuana, or under the influence of heroin, cocaine, meth, or any other drug, it’s cause for a DUI arrest. Even if you’re taking medication that’s prescribed to you, you’ll be charged with DUI if the police determine you’re unable to operate a vehicle safely.In fact, you may think that it’ll be a good idea to refuse a breathalyzer test at the scene. If you do refuse, your refusal can be considered as evidence of your being over the legal limit in the eyes of the law. It’s also important to remember that you must knowingly consent to a breath test before it can be administered unless there’s been great bodily injury or death. In that scenario, a blood test is mandatory and will be taken from you at the scene with or without consent.
4. Determine the Best Plea for Your Case
A huge part of adjudicating a DUI case is determining your plea. The plea you make can have a significant impact on the sentence you receive. Most people think you can only plead “Guity” or “Not Guilty.” However, there are more options available to you. You can also plead “No Contest,” which means you neither agree nor disagree with the state’s allegations, and you’re just entering a plea to close the case quickly. We can help you determine which option is best for your particular case.
5. Stop You From Pleading Out Too Fast
Another misstep that people make when they don’t have an attorney for their DUI case is to plead out too quickly. Many people make this error because they want to get their case closed quickly. However, pleading too fast can be a rookie mistake. Here at Cannon and Associates Law Firm, we never make rookie mistakes because we have a team full of veteran attorneys who are experienced at DUI law.However, it takes more than knowledge from books or law school; it takes hands-on experience in the courtroom, and our DUI defense lawyers have what it takes. Pleading out too quickly means accepting the first deal on the table. Generally, there’s room for improvement in the prosecutor’s first offer, and we can help you negotiate the best deal possible. Each case is unique, but we still go above and beyond for every one of our clients with Fierce Advocacy.
6. Help You Find Treatment
Whether it’s your first DUI, second, or even more, we can help you get the treatment you need to better your life. Getting arrested for driving under the influence in Oklahoma City is often a wake-up call for our clients. They realize they need help, and we can help you navigate all the options available to you during this trying time. Often, we can argue for a reduced penalty in your case under the condition that you complete treatment or rehab.Attending a rehab, treatment center, or even outpatient or AA meetings can be an essential part of closing your case. While it’s certainly not required that you attend treatment, it definitely has a positive impact on the final outcome. If you’re a first-time offender, there’s a good chance of getting the case permanently off your record if you can successfully complete treatment. We will help negotiate these deals for you during your court appearances and through meetings with the prosecutor.
7. Shows Commitment and Responsibility
If you’ve been charged with driving under the influence in Oklahoma City, hiring a DUI defense lawyer shows that you’re taking the arrest seriously. When you hire an attorney, it shows the judge and prosecutor you understand how serious the stakes are and that you’re willing to give up time, effort, and money to find quality representation. It sends a message you’re willing to commit to anything it takes and that you’re taking responsibility for your actions.Here at Cannon and Associates Law Firm, we understand how upsetting a DUI arrest can be. We understand how much it can disrupt your life and that you want to get back to your normal routine as quickly as possible. Our team of Fierce Advocates has the experience, knowledge, and innovative solutions to fight relentlessly and advocate for your best interests.Free Resources from OKC DUI Lawyers and Your Fierce Advocates®: Our team of Your Fierce Advocates® at Cannon & Associates is led by our founder and Army veteran, John Cannon. We are privileged to defend clients facing OKC DUI charges, Edmond DUI charges, and DUI charges across Oklahoma. We also fight for client’s driving privileges following an Oklahoma DUI arrest. Find FREE RESOURCES on our YouTube page and our website, until we meet to answer your specific questions. You may also CALL NOW at (405) 972-8604, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week for a free case planning session!In fact, hiring an exceptional lawyer can help you secure a reduced penalty for your DUI charge, whether it’s the first time or even if you’ve been arrested before. We can help you find treatment, negotiate on your behalf, and can help you find the right plea and therefore the best outcome possible in your case. Contact the expert attorneys at Cannon and Associates Law Firm today for a consultation and to meet our team of talented DUI defense attorneys and learn how we can help you with your case.
