Have you been charged with driving under the influence? You may need a DUI lawyer. Read the Gittens & Associates blog to understand how we can protect your rights
The role of a DUI lawyer If you have been charged with driving under the influence in Newfoundland and Labrador, you must contend with potentially serious consequences. Depending on the details of your case, you could lose your license, be severely fined or even go to jail. However, an impaired driving lawyer, or DUI lawyer, will fight hard to defend your rights. In this article, we discuss the role that a lawyer plays in impaired driving cases. In-depth knowledge about impaired driving laws The Criminal Code of Canada contains many provisions about impaired driving. In addition, there are hundreds of past court decisions that directly impact impaired driving cases. An experienced DUI lawyer will be familiar with the intricacies of the law and will be able to use this knowledge to strengthen their client’s case. Furthermore, a lawyer will be familiar with the procedures police must follow when investigating a person for an impaired driving charge. If police fail to fulfill their legal requirements or make a mistake, this can affect the outcome of the case. Ability to negotiate with crown attorneys If a person goes to court for an impaired driving charge, they will be pitted against a qualified crown attorney. The crown attorney’s role is to prosecute the charges that were laid against the individual; in other words, to prove that they committed the crime and argue for the strictest sentence possible. An experienced impaired driving lawyer can provide a strong defence for their client. Furthermore, they will negotiate with tough crown attorneys to hammer out plea bargains, so long as doing so is beneficial to their client. A plea bargain is an arrangement between the crown attorney and the defendant (the person charged with the crime) in which the defendant accepts a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence. In many cases, a plea bargain will result in a more favourable outcome for the client than the one they would have received if they had gone to court. Attention to legal deadlines and filings There are many administrative details involved in court cases, and an impaired driving case is no exception. A lawyer will handle all these matters, ensuring that no errors are made that could harm the client’s case. The lawyer will also pay attention to any deadlines to file motions. DUI lawyers in Newfoundland The experienced impaired driving lawyers at Gittens & Associates can provide you with an effective defence and professional legal advice in St. John’s, Newfoundland. . Our firm also provides legal representation in criminal law, wills and estates, personal injury, medical malpractice, immigration law and a variety of other branches of the legal system. Contact us today to schedule a free phone consultation.