It is crucial that you retain a DUI defense lawyer if you have been charged with a DUI. You do not want to make the mistake of assuming that this is a small matter that you can just go to court for on your own. Sure, you are legally allowed to represent yourself in all matters with the court system, however, it is not something that people are generally advised to do. To help you gain a better understanding of why that is, you will want to go over the following information:

They May Be Able To Get You A Plea Deal

If you were in fact intoxicated while driving, you may not be able to walk away without some sort of punishment. However, you would probably like it to be as minimal as possible. After all, you might have loved ones that you support and they would be in despair if you couldn't work because you were serving jail time. Your DUI case lawyer can try to work out a plea deal with the prosecution. For example, instead of jail time, you might be able to do community service, pay a fine, and possibly be ordered to take drug and alcohol classes.

You Might Be Able To Receive An ARD

An ARD, which stands for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, is a chance for you to get your life back on track without the DUI on your record. You will want a lawyer to help you get approved for the ARD. This can reduce the number of points that will go against your license, shorten the amount of time you will be without a license because of a suspension of privileges, and eventually get the charges completely removed from your record. It's like getting a fresh chance to do things right. This is usually easy for lawyers to get the ARD approved for someone that does not have a record and it's their first DUI. 

If you are ready to have a DUI lawyer regarding your case, you will want to start looking for a lawyer that seems to be your ideal option. To do that, you will want to schedule consultation appointments with a few different DUI charge lawyers. Sit down with different lawyers to get their professional perspectives on your case. Find out how much their retainer is, how much they charge per hour, and how often they send invoices to their clients. 

For more info, contact a local firm like The Law Offices Of Fischer And Putzi.