When you have been stopped while driving under the influence and arraigned on charges, it's important to get legal help. If this isn't your first charge, your consequences may be more severe than the first time you were charged. The punishments for driving under the influence get worse for every subsequent offense, and an attorney will be able to talk with you about the circumstances that led to your arraignment. If you cooperated with the official that stopped you, your attorney may be able to get your charges reduced or dismissed if your field sobriety tests showed minimal to no impairment. While the consequences for being found guilty of driving under the influence are clear, you have to be found guilty first.

Driving is a Privilege, Not a Right

Some people get nervous when they are stopped by the police, and refuse to undergo any field sobriety tests. When you get your initial driver's license, you agree to submit to field sobriety tests any time you are asked. If you refuse the test, your license can be revoked immediately by the officer that stops you. Driving is a privilege, and when you don't follow the law by submitting to a sobriety test, you automatically lose your license.

When a Breathalyzer Wasn't Administered

If you did not get a breathalyzer test done, there's no real way to tell what your blood alcohol level was at the time of your arrest. While you may have failed your field sobriety tests, and the arresting officer smelled alcohol, the breathalyzer gives your blood alcohol content and determines whether this level was above or below the legal limit. Your attorney will have a good chance of getting your charges dropped if there wasn't a breathalyzer test given.

If This is a Subsequent Offense

While you can go to court and simply plead guilty, this is generally not recommended. If this is a subsequent offense, you can end up losing your license for an extended period of time. Some judges may allow you to use your license to go to work only, but this will still severely impact your ability to drive on a daily basis. You can end up doing jail time and paying fines when you are charged and found guilty of a DUI as well.

When you are charged with a DUI, contact a DUI attorney to discuss your options. Get the help you deserve to get through your case.