When you are hiring a DWI attorney Manhattan professional for your case, you need to ask what their rates are up front so that there aren’t any surprises as your case progresses. You should also ask how much time your case will take, and whether or not they have a low enough case load to be able to spend enough time on your case. Some attorneys charge a flat fee, while others work on an hourly basis. You will have to find one that can meet your needs and your budget. There needs to be trust with your attorney, so only hire an attorney if you are absolutely sure that they will work to get the results that you want. You will still be required to pay their fee, even if they lose your case.
All about DUI Penalties and Fines
If you have been busted for a first offense DUI, you could be fined up to a maximum of $500.00, and you could be given up to a year in jail if you refused the breathalyzer test that the police offers try to give you when they initially pulled your vehicle over. If this is your second offense, then a fine could be imposed up to a maximum of $1,000, and you could spend up to 18 months in jail. You will have your driver’s license suspended regardless of whether or not it is your first or second offense. If you are a repeat offender, then you could find yourself in very serious trouble. If you have had more than one DUI in a 10 year period, then you will be slammed with a felony charge. Every time you get an additional DUI within that time period, the fines and jail time amounts raise. If your drunken driving spree involved any other vehicle with an accident, then you can expect the judge to be incredibly harsh when he imposes your penalties. You will definitely need a lawyer if this occurs.
Be Safe by Calling a Cab
Even if you have already been convicted of a DUI in the criminal courts, you can still be sued in civil court if you caused injury to someone else or someone’s property when you were driving drunk. This is typically called a civil liability case. It is best to avoid the complete mess by not driving drunk in the first place. Getting a DUI can really harm a person for years after the event occurs, and it is senseless to ruin your life if you can get home by calling a cab. New York has cabs everywhere at all hours of the day and night, so there is no reason that anyone in the state should ever have to drive drunk.
