New Year’s Eve is one of the best nights of the year to relax with friends and family. You can reminisce on the memories from the past year, and make goals for the year to come. However, despite the fun, New Year’s Eve is also a night with some of the most DUI arrests. This happens due to those who toast to the New Year and then drive home. Even if you only had a few drinks or a glass of champagne, the police are out in full force on New Year’s Eve. The odds of you being pulled over or even arrested for DUI are higher on this night than on most others. If you’re facing a DUI, here are some of the most important steps that you can take. This can help you deal with the DUI and keep it from impacting your life.
Pay the Bond
If you’ve been arrested by the police, you might be held overnight in a cell. If this is the case, you might have to pay a small bond to get out of jail. Also, you should contact a friend or family member to come pick you up and bring bail money. If you cannot afford the bond, you can contact a bail bondsman to pay the bond for you.
Get Your Car
If you’ve been arrested, your car may have been driven to the police station or impounded. If your car is impounded, you will have to ask a friend to drive you to get it. Also, you will have to pay a fee to get it back.
Contact a DUI Lawyer
Even if you are not ready to hire a lawyer, meeting with one for a free consultation is in your best interest. A lawyer can review the specifics of your case and give you advice on how to proceed. Make sure you bring documents such as your criminal history and police report to the lawyer. This can help them determine the consequences that you will probably face and it will help them answer your questions most completely.
Build Your Defense
Whether you decide to hire a lawyer or not, you will have to build a defense for yourself so that you are prepared for your court date. Consider factors that may have impacted your driving that are not related to drugs or alcohol – for example, was it snowing or icy that night? If the road conditions were poor, this may have impacted your driving. Also consider if the Field Sobriety Tests you were asked to take were performed properly. A lawyer can help you sort through the factors of your case.
Make Alternative Transportation Arrangements
Your license will be suspended when you are arrested for a DUI. It is important to be proactive and begin determining how you will drive to work, school, or other places that you need to go. Check out the public transportation system in your area and talk to friends, family, and coworkers about getting rides to the places that you need to go.
Prepare for Your Court Hearing and the DMV Hearing
There are two hearings that people facing a DUI will have. The court hearing will determine if you are criminally guilty of driving under the influence. Consequences of a court hearing include fines and jail time. The DMV hearing will determine if your license will be suspended or not. These hearings are independent of one another.
If you got a DUI on New Year’s Eve, you are probably not thrilled with the way that the new year has started off. However, there are steps that you can take to deal with the DUI and make sure that it does not ruin your year.