First DUI Offense What to Expect, Top 5 Inexpensive Ways How to Get Charges Dismissed March 2024: A Top Lawyer’s Guide for Recently Arrested Drivers

In general, a DUI can be dismissed if there isn’t enough evidence to prove the charge, or if there is a significant error or misconduct in the investigation. 

Here are some proven ways to get a first-time DUI dismissed:

• Challenge the legality of the traffic stop
• Challenge the breath test reading
• Challenge the blood test results
• Challenge the accuracy of the standard field sobriety test
• Show that the police didn’t have probable cause to pull you over for DUI
• Prove that field sobriety tests aren’t good gauges of drunkenness:
• File a motion to suppress evidence 

Other effective legal defenses to fight 1st DUI charges include:

• Bad driving does not automatically equal DUI
• Objective symptoms of intoxication are not the same thing as DUI
• Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs) don’t accurately measure impairment 

Plea bargaining is another good option, where the prosecution may be open to negotiating a plea bargain. This will result in reduced charges or penalties. 

Ideally, the best-case scenario for a first-time DUI is that the officer(s) failed to gather enough evidence against you or made procedural, technical, or constitutional mistakes before, during or following your arrest.

Establishing this type of case-winning defense is usually identified during a free arrest review by an experienced local DUI lawyer.

5 Best Steps to Getting a Local First DUI Charge Reduced or Dismissed Inexpensively as Possible:

1. Contact a DUI lawyer immediately to save on legal costs. A trusted DUI lawyer can immediately provide free expert legal advice 24 hours daily to help you understand your rights and best options, and can help you to build a case-winning defense to the charges against you without breaking your budget. In our experience, many people hesitate too long on even talking to a lawyer after an arrest, and that hesitation inevitably leads to higher overall costs if the short opportunity to dismiss a case is lost. There’s nothing to lose by utilizing the best free local legal help open now and on call 24 hours to know what happens when you get a DUI for the first-time in your own case, so you can avoid an expensive conviction.

The most affordable DUI attorney nearby with proven expertise in this specific field of law, will help you gather evidence, prepare for your first court appearance, consider your own unique case options for a plea deal that minimizes fines, and prepare for trial without costly surprises.

2. Gather as much evidence on your own. This could include evidence of your sobriety at the time of your arrest, such as witness statements, receipts from bars or restaurants that you visited before you were arrested, or a copy of your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test results. You may also be able to obtain evidence of any other factors that may have contributed to your arrest, such as medical records or police dashcam footage, all while keeping your lawyer’s potential investigative fees under control.

Some common examples of evidence that can be used to defend against a new DUI charge without breaking the bank include:

• A witness statement from someone who saw you drinking before you got behind the wheel and who can testify that you were not drunk, saving on legal investigation costs.
• A receipt from a bar or restaurant that shows that you had only one or two drinks before you left, reducing the need for costly expert witnesses.
• A copy of your BAC test results that shows that your BAC was below the legal limit, avoiding expensive testing fees.
• Medical records that show that you have a medical condition that could have caused you to appear intoxicated, such as diabetes or a concussion, minimizing medical report costs.
• Police dashcam footage that shows that the police officer made a mistake during the traffic stop or the arrest, saving on legal discovery expenses.

3. Prepare for your first court appearance without excessive spending. This will involve understanding the charges against you and the possible penalties that you face. You should also be prepared to answer any questions that the judge may have.

At your first court appearance, you will be arraigned. This is when the judge will read the charges against you and ask you to enter a plea. You should not enter a plea until you have had a chance to speak with a Board-Certified DUI lawyer in your area who can help you save on local legal representation costs.

4. Consider your first offense DUI options for a plea deal that doesn’t break your budget. If you are facing serious charges even as a first-time offender, your lawyer has a strong likelihood of being able to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecutor that reduces fines and legal expenses. A plea deal may involve pleading guilty to a lesser charge, or pleading guilty to a charge with a reduced sentence.

Whether or not to accept a plea deal is a personal decision. You should carefully consider the pros and cons of each option before making a decision that aligns with your financial circumstances.

5. Prepare for trial without overextending your finances. If you are unable to reach a plea deal with the prosecutor, you may need to go to trial. At trial, your lawyer will argue on your behalf and try to convince the judge or jury to find you not guilty or to get your charges reduced or dismissed without straining your budget.

If your case goes to trial, you will have the opportunity to present your evidence and to call witnesses to testify on your behalf without incurring substantial legal costs. You will also have the opportunity to cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses without excessive fees.

Of course no matter how good a lawyer is, sometimes getting a 1st DUI charge dismissed is not always possible in every case, since each person’s case has it’s own unique set of circumstances. However, it is certainly possible and even probable to get charges reduced to a much less serious offense and substantially lower costs with the right legal representation that is mindful of your financial situation.

If you have been arrested for DUI, we urge you to contact an experienced DUI attorney right away to explore cost-effective options. A top-rated inexpensive DUI lawyer nearby will help you to understand your rights and options, and provide you the ultimate local legal help to build a strong defense without straining your budget.

Expert Attorney Perspectives to Help Keep Your Legal Costs Cheap for When You Choose to Hire a Lawyer

Here are some expert perspectives from our attorneys firsthand experience that may help you deal with stress as you fight to get your DUI first offense case dismissed, even if you think you can’t afford the price of a lawyer in your area:

• Be honest and upfront with any lawyer that you talk to about your financial situation.
• After finding and hiring an attorney, be cooperative with your lawyer and follow their instructions for court.
• Be prepared to put in the work necessary to build a strong defense.
• Be patient and understanding. The legal process can be slow and complex, but it is important to stay positive and focused on getting the best outcome possible. Free expert DUI attorney advice is on call 24 hours daily to instantly help you know your best inexpensive options in the area, so you do not ever waste money on any lawyer in the neighborhood you may be unsure about hiring.

Remember, you are not alone in this. There are people who care and want to help you. If you are facing a DUI first offense charge and don’t have money to hire a lawyer, please take advantage of a free DUI review for immediate help and utilize the expertise of top local attorney advice at no cost.

Adhering to these professional tips can increase your chances of getting your 1st DUI offense thrown out in court without draining your finances.

Real Case Example: How We Helped a Client Overcome a Recent DUI Charge by Avoiding a Conviction

As trusted legal specialists fighting 1st-time offense cases in every state, our local award-winner attorneys have helped 1000s of clients get their 1st DUI charges dropped to something less serious or avoid a conviction in court entirely with a dismissal. Here is one recent example of a specific case:

We had a client who was a college student that got arrested for DUI on his way home from a party. He had only had two beers, but he was pulled over by a local police officer who said that he was “driving erratically.” The officer administered a breathalyzer test, and our client’s BAC was 0.08%, which is just over the legal limit in the state.

After going to court, we were able to get our client’s charge reduced to reckless driving because our attorneys were able to prove that the police officer did not have sufficient reason to pull him over in the first place. The officer claimed that our client was weaving in and out of his lane, but our lawyers were able to show that the road was very windy and that our client was simply following the curve of the road late at night.

Our experienced team of attorneys were also able to show that our client had only had two beers and that he was not impaired at the time of his arrest. We presented the judge with a receipt from the banquet party where our client had been drinking, and we also presented testimony from a witness who saw our client leave the party and drive away safely.

In the end, the judge agreed to reduce our client’s charge to reckless driving. This was a big victory for our client, especially since he was a college student – as it saved him from having a DUI conviction on his record when applying for future career opportunities before his professional life as an adult even begins.

This is just one case example of how our proven firsthand experience as a legal authority in this field of DUI defense law, has been able to help our clients get their first-time DUI, DWI charges dismissed or dramatically lowered when the pending case goes to court.

Every Board-Certified attorney with FightDUICharges has a deep understanding of current local DUI law, and we are committed to fighting for every defendant’s rights, even if they don’t have the money for a top-rated attorney in the area. If you have recently been charged with a DUI, please contact us today for an free DUI lawyer consultation with our expert local attorneys open now and allow us to help you inexpensively avoid a conviction.

How You Can Still Get a DUI First Offense Dismissed Even If You Think You Can’t Afford a Lawyer

As preeminent DUI attorneys with of over 26 years experience in successful DUI defense for first-time offenders, we understand more than anyone how many people who are arrested for DUI are worried about how they are going to afford a lawyer. However, there are a number of economical local options available for top legal representation that is even free in some cases, to people who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer out of pocket.

Here are some attorney tips on how to get a DUI first offense dismissed even if you think you can’t afford to hire an attorney:

• Check to see if you qualify for a public defender. Public defenders are lawyers who are provided by the government to people who cannot afford to hire their own lawyer. To qualify for a public defender, you must meet certain income requirements.
• Look for legal aid organizations. There are a number of legal aid organizations that provide free or low-cost DUI legal assistance to people who qualify. You can find a list of pro bono legal aid organizations in your area by searching online or contacting your local bar association.
• Ask your lawyer about payment plans. Many of the top best local lawyers who specialize in DUI, DWI defense are willing to work with their clients on very inexpensive payment plans. This means that you would only pay what you can afford for your legal services over time, rather than having to pay the entire amount upfront.
• Consider representing yourself. It is possible to represent yourself in court, but it is important to understand the risks involved. If you choose to represent yourself, you will need to do your own research and learn about the law. You will also need to be prepared to argue your own case in front of the judge. However, as Board-Certified lawyers who are seasoned legal experts in DUI law who know the odds of success, we know all too well this option of defending yourself in court without an attorney is not one we can recommend in good conscience for any defendant.

If you are facing a DUI first offense charge and you cannot afford to hire a good local lawyer, there are still low-cost top attorney options available near you. By following the tips above, you can increase your chances of getting your charge dismissed.

Here, an expert attorney for DUI defense explains more firsthand insights of how to best handle a 1st offender case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxgenFqrG4M

Even if you choose to go to court without a lawyer’s representation, please reach out to a local pro bono legal aid organization or public defender’s office who is open now for free assistance so you do not try to fight a 1st DUI entirely on your own.

Additional resources on the consequences, laws, and risks associated with what happens for a first DUI, DWI March 2024 if a case is not won:

• https://www.findlaw.com/dui/charges/first-offense-dui.html

Last updated 3.1.24