Role of a Fredericksburg DUI Attorney

The primary role of a Fredericksburg DUI attorney is to represent you to the best of their abilities and obtain the best possible outcome. It is important to hire a seasoned attorney to fight for you, to analyze the evidence, and to look into the pros and cons of fighting the case.

Law Enforcement’s Focus on DUI’s in Fredericksburg

There is a huge focus on DUI as a target for law enforcement because of the dangers associated with it. What this looks like on a practical basis is more traffic stops, more arrests, and less tolerance for people who make the choice to drink and drive. There is definitely a harsh deterrence effort to try to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries that come with DUI accidents.

What is a De Novo Right?

For DUI cases that are charged as a misdemeanor, an individual has the de novo right to appeal in the State of Virginia. If there are any issues with the traffic stop, with how the officers conducted the breathalyzer test or field sobriety tests, or if an individual has any reason to believe that their constitutional rights were not completely respected, then they absolutely should fight it.

Obtaining Evidence in a DUI Case

The role of a Fredericksburg DUI attorney includes providing guidance through the process, which is extremely complicated when it comes to DUIs. Obtaining the relevant evidence can be difficult, and knowing how to request the available evidence is complicated and differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. For example, in Fredericksburg, there is a completely different process for obtaining evidence than in Fairfax County or in Arlington County.

An individual would need to know the prosecutors and the jurisdiction in order to even obtain the evidence they need in their defense, and an experienced local defense attorney is going to be that person for them. Lawyers understand how to request and obtain the necessary, explain the court process, and let the accused know where they need to be and what limitations it will put on their life.

Negotiating with the Prosecutor

A DUI attorney possesses the ability to negotiate with the prosecutor. The relationship with the prosecutor in getting a good deal is an essential part of the practice of a good defense attorney, especially when all of the evidence is very strong against the defendant. The role of a Fredericksburg DUI attorney also includes informing the accused individual when it is a good time to take an offer and what is likely to happen if they reject that offer and go to trial.

Pleading Guilty to a Drunk Driving Charge

An individual needs to be able to make their decision as to whether or not they want to give up their right to a trial, take an offer, and to plead guilty to something after an analysis of a defense attorney’s ideas on what a jury will do and what the particular judge will do at trial. The role of a Fredericksburg DUI attorney is to make a sophisticated legal analysis for an individual in a way that will help them understand their options.