Drunk driving remains a serious offense in the state of Oklahoma. Per the Center for Disease Control statistics, 2,205 people died in drunk driving-related accidents between 2003 and 2012 in the Sooner State. When someone ends up pulled over for suspicion of a DUI, the subsequent evidence recovered will affect the strength of the prosecution’s case. Hiring a DUI attorney might prove beneficial to someone facing potentially harsh penalties.
Dui Charges In Oklahoma
Even with a first-time offense, a person convicted of misdemeanor driving under the influence could face jail time and a fine. The penalties could be worse when the person’s blood-alcohol concentration is much higher than 0.08. Repeat offenders may face felony charges and far more significant penalties. Someone who fails the field sobriety test and ends up with a BAC of more than 0.10, for example, would want an attorney to represent them in court.
How An Attorney Represents A Client
A DUI defense attorney may handle the case in several ways. Working out a plea bargain agreement could be one option, and the strategy might lead the defendant to plead guilty to lesser charges and receive a lighter sentence.
An attorney may be able to negotiate the sentencing when entering a no-contest or guilty plea. Perhaps the attorney might convince the court to levy a jail sentence far less than the maximum or reduce a fine.
Other considerations come into play depending on the seriousness of the charges. What if the driver was involved in a crash that led to other criminal charges? The attorney may help their client address all charges in the plea agreement or defense strategy.
A criminal law attorney may assist a client who is facing DUI charges and wants to minimize the penalties as much as possible. Seeking legal representation may help the defendant receive fair treatment and ensure that the legal process upholds all their rights.