How to Get a Public Defender for DUI, and What to Expect for Case Chances to Win
A defendant in a DUI or DWI case who is unable to afford a lawyer is classified as indigent. A local public defender is assigned to represent the individual in court. Unfortunately, public defenders do not have the best reputations in general and many of the stereotypes are untrue.
A public defender can be a strong asset when attempting to challenge and get out of a DUI or DWI charge but there also may be better, affordable alternatives for legal help. One of many differences to consider between a free public lawyer and a specialist DUI attorney in how they fight to get out of a DUI charge case for clients, is that a private DUI lawyer can go to court on a driver’s behalf. However, this would not happen when a person is trying to fight and beat a DUI or DWI case with a public defender.
Can you use a free court-appointed attorney for a DUI case? The simple answer is yes, but “should you” get a public defender is the real question you need to be aware of before deciding who is really best to hire for resolving your own legal situation.
All you really need to know about the chances of winning a serious criminal case like driving under the influence is considered, is to ask yourself when was the last time you or anyone you know ever actually won a criminal misdemeanor case using this type of free legal counsel? Luckily there is a better free legal aid option available we can help provide with pro bono lawyers for DUI near you, so a person can still get the best local DUI defense when being able to afford a private lawyer is an issue.
“Can You Beat a DUI With a Public Defender?” – Page Navigation:
What is a Public Defender?
Despite popular belief, a public defender is a licensed attorney. While it is true that many new lawyers “cut their teeth” in this role, there are also very experienced, free public attorneys. An individual convicted of DUI should take the charge seriously, realize that consequences may be severe, and retain a this free legal assistance if a private lawyer is truly an unaffordable option. Although the average DUI lawyer price range is certainly not inexpensive even for a first DUI or DWI offense, the odds to win a case or get it dismissed will be far better than the chances are when using a public defender to fight charges.
Unfortunately, defendants are not usually permitted to choose which free lawyer will represent them. If the community has a public defender office, the judge usually appoints the office to represent all defendants classified as indigent. The public defender assigned to represent an individual is usually the lawyer assigned to the courtroom in which the case will be heard. In large cities, different public defenders may be assigned at various stages of a DUI case.
Drawbacks of Using a Public Defender vs. Private Attorney For a DUI Case
Should I fight my DUI with a public defender? After first getting arrested, many people are conflicted about hiring a public defender vs. private attorney for DUI or DWI offenses. Though using a public defender often has a more successful outcome than defending yourself, it is not without significant drawbacks.
Many public defenders carry heavy caseloads and this may compromise the strength of the defense. These lawyers are often in a rush due to working on multiple cases simultaneously and they may not seem to pay attention or take interest in specific details regarding cases they handle. A public defender may seem to push a DUI case through the legal system without much concern for the result.
Can a public defender beat a DUI case or get charges reduced? The honest truth is, a public defense attorney is more than likely going to help you enter a guilty plea, and be there to make sure your constitutional rights are protected during the court and sentencing process. Because of the overwhelming cases they have in their queue to handle, they simply do not have the time or even sufficient resources available to approach a DUI case with fighting it for a full dismissal in mind.
This is not to say that using this free legal counsel to plead guilty is not helpful in some instances, since every person’s own arrest situation is truly unique. Of course there is technically always some remote chance this court-appointed lawyer could succeed in getting a charge dropped, but realistically the odds are about as in favor to a defendant as winning the lottery is.
What you need to know is the extreme repercussions of pleading guilty to a drunk or drugged driving offense actually means. The first thing to realize is that the DUI or DWI conviction will be on your criminal record for life, unless a DUI gets cleared several years later in court by getting it expunged. However getting any misdemeanor or felony driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs offense removed from a criminal record, is not cheap or easy to do after the fact. This is all the more reason what a person chooses to do now or soon after an arrest and while the case is still going to court, is always the most critical as to what will happen next regarding total legal costs and their future in general.
Local private DUI attorneys, on the other hand, are usually completely invested in the individuals they represent and work hard to achieve the most favorable outcomes. Many people think retaining one of these top lawyers may stretch the wallet a bit, but soon realize getting out of a DUI charge will make this a worthwhile expense by far – by avoiding the highest price of all with a conviction or guilty plea. Additionally, all the attorney specialists who work with us will negotiate very flexible and low payment plans to suit your needs, so that each person can afford to hire the best lawyer possible on any budget. FightDUICharges.com offers 24/7 online DUI arrest evaluation reviews to provide free defense advice what to do next, helping to reduce legal costs and streamline the DUI process.
Regardless of whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony offense DUI charge, consulting with either a public defender or private DUI specialist lawyer is always a wise move rather than representing yourself in court without proper help to guide you. Legal expertise is needed to recognize whether to fight the DUI violation and understand the local court process. Without this assistance, a defendant might plead guilty when there is a chance of having the charge dropped.
Understand the DUI Consequences That Will Happen Before Choosing to Hire any Lawyer for Your Case
If you are found guilty of having a blood alcohol content level over .08 or refused to take the breath or blood test, the sentences now are more strict than ever under the new 2023 DUI & DWI laws in every state. You can:
- receive an automatic suspension of your driver’s license within 2 weeks from the date of the arrest;
- be sentenced in criminal court and serve time in jail, with a minimum $1,300 fine for a first offense;
- lose your driver’s license 1-3 years on average under the new law;
- be suspended from operating a motor vehicle on any street, road, highway or any other public areas;
- be required to take treatment & counseling sessions for dealing with drugs and alcohol;
- have your car impounded and be responsible for all towing and storage fees;
- having your auto insurance rates increase for 5 years after a drunk or drugged driving conviction;
- be required to complete all the hours of mandatory DUI classes to become eligible to get your driver’s license back later.
One of the newest and worst of the DUI penalties to deal with, is you will be required to install an ignition interlock device in any vehicle you will be operating. A convicted driver must pay for the ignition interlock cost of installation, monthly monitoring charges, and removal fee of this car Breathalyzer device. In driving under the influence of alcohol or drug cases when another person was injured, or if there was extensive property damage, you can also be sued in addition to the criminal prosecution.
Whether you realize it yet or not, making the choice on who you will hire and what kind of lawyer is used in fighting your case, will be one of the most important decisions of your life. We are available 24/7 to directly answer all your questions as a free resource online or by phone if you prefer, to immediately help you learn all of your true best defense options. This way you can proceed forward by being fully informed about your case, and whether a private attorney or public defender is actually best for your own particular DUI scenario.
Should I Use a Public Defender for Fighting to Beat a DUI, DWI?
Know how using a free lawyer works first, before deciding if you should use a public defender for a DUI or fighting a DWI charge case. While there is always a marginal possibility to win with a court-appointed free attorney, it is crucial to know the realistic chances upfront for any way of how you can beat a DUI with a public defender.
An arrest review will provide free legal advice how to get a public defender for DUI if you should still choose to hire one, along with what to expect for odds to beat a DUI case. Especially fighting a first DUI offense charge, many drivers make critical mistakes by being uninformed with crucial facts or knowing when certain defenses can be used in time that an expert DUI, DWI lawyer can answer today immediately.
Can you beat a DUI with a public defender? While it is not impossible, hiring a free public defender to fight a DUI or DWI case is most certainly not in any person’s favor for the best chances to get DUI charges dropped or have a case dismissed. Even though a public defender practices general legal defense, their true skills to successfully challenge an often technical DUI or DWI case is usually far above their experience level.
One major reason for free public attorneys not having the best odds to win a DUI case is because of the massive amount of cases they have to take on at once. Many public defenders simply do not have the dedicated time it takes to formulate strong DUI defense to win, and makes it almost impossible to give the full attention it takes to fight and beat a DUI or DWI case.
All driving under the influence cases today will carry long-lasting penalties if convicted, and even a free attorney is better than not using a lawyer at all. No matter what you think the case chances are to win at first, you should get an attorney for a first DUI offense or at least get free legal advice from an expert lawyer to let you know what the best defense options are before using a public defender as a remedy for a DUI, DWI case today. In March 2023, the odds of a public defender getting DUI charges dropped are not good with any case in this complex legal field of law.
Taryn J. White is a legal research specialist and DUI law news reporter. Her current accomplishments include helping those facing any driving under the influence arrest charges, get free online assistance in learning how to fight a DUI case for the best possible outcome.
I got a dwi charge my first offense, but wasn’t in a vehicle or driving. Someone said I was driving but had no car keys, and need help.
I just got a DWI and worried this will be considered my second offense if convicted. I had drinks the night before all the way until 6am fell asleep woke up at noon…took my blood pressure meds and topamax for migraines and imatrex.
It was snowing raining slush hit my breaks spun went in a ditch. I never called police..I was in ditch for 25 minutes waiting for my tow truck. I called roadside assistance, but out of nowhere police show up and kept asking if I was good. I said yes…my tow was on the way.
Then 5 minutes later the officer must have ran my plates. He asked for my license and registration, then comes back says have u been drinking. And from there he charged me with a DWI. I never called police…didn’t get stopped, didn’t hit nobody, or nothing. I was just in a ditch on side of road waiting for my tow truck. Not sure what I should I do?
My name is Kelly S. and I have 2 impaired driving offenses. I just had my second hearing the incident happened February 13 2016. I was denied again I’m 55 years old and on disability I am having a real hard time after almost 3 yrs to get a ride even to the Dr. I have to go every month. I would like to take my case to the circuit court. On the denial letter there are many untrues. I need help
i am charged for f3 dwi in lockhart tx. i wasnt drunk or stoned but refused to blow. it was a stupid thing to do looking back but my first thought was no. screw these cops. i had a stinking drunk passenger who was yanked out of the car and calles pi. the cops even called my 80 yr old mother at 1:30 am to come pick us up. she cant drive at night and had recently had eye surgery. they assurred her we wouldnt be arrested just detained.i have 2 priors over 9 years ago so that led to my arrest. i have been given a court appointed attorney but havent spoken to her yet. i i am 63 yrs old and on ssi. this whole case is so wrong. please help. machelle neubauer