After a police officer has pulled you over and suspects you have committed a DUI, they might ask you to participate in a series of tests. If you fail one or more tests, such as the breathalyzer test, you might be charged with a DUI. Under these circumstances, you might then face criminal charges. You have the right to represent yourself in court, but doing so can backfire.

Not Exercising Your Miranda Rights

A police officer will begin asking questions after they have arrested you. You have the right to exercise your Miranda rights. However, they are allowed to continue to investigate you. You will also be informed that you have the right to an attorney; exercising this right is a good idea.

Not Hiring an Attorney

You might think you can save money by not retaining an attorney and believe you understand your situation better than anyone else. But an attorney can better inform you of your rights and help you understand different legal strategies you can use to win your case.

It's essential to keep track of what you say during the police interrogation and whether you made a statement before or after being read your Miranda Rights. An officer can take you into custody before reading your rights. Still, anything you say might only be admissible in court if you have been read your rights, which is vital because sharing too much information with the police is one of the most common ways a DUI defendant is convicted.

Accepting the First Plea Deal

Before your trial, the prosecution might offer you a deal. While many criminal cases lead to plea deals, it's crucial to ensure you do not accept the first plea deal the prosecution offers you. By doing so, you may agree to an offer much worse than what you could get with the help of an experienced DUI attorney. The prosecution relies on the fact that you might feel overwhelmed, so they can pressure you to make a wrong decision. You may have your charges reduced or dismissed.

Not Being Honest with Your Legal Team

Instead, you should communicate with your legal team and be straightforward. Another common mistake is not being honest with your legal team. But there's no reason to do this because they are on your side. If anything is embarrassing that might later affect your case, your legal team should be informed so that they will be able to craft an effective legal defense.

For more information, contact a DUI attorney near you.