After the Court Case: What Next?
You worked hard to fight your DUI charges in court. Maybe you won, or maybe you lost and were found guilty. Maybe you are pursuing an appeal. Whatever the outcome, you may find that your life is very different than before your arrest.
Sentencing
If you were found guilty, the court will set a date for your sentencing. At the sentencing, the court decides which punishments to impose for your crimes. For example, the law may require a year in jail as a mandatory sentence but leave other punishment up to the court. In DUI cases, the laws often require some length of jail time in conjunction with alcohol intervention programs, license suspension, and more.
You usually have the opportunity to present evidence of mitigating circumstances at your sentencing. Mitigating circumstances are factors that may have played into your commission of a crime. They may convince the judge to reduce your sentence to that usually imposed for a lesser crime. They do not excuse or justify the crime of which you were found guilty. For example, in some instances judges may take mental health into consideration when conducting a sentencing.
Barriers to Re-Entry
If you spend time in jail, re-entering the outside world can be a challenge. Often jails and prisons offer little support to recently released inmates. If you are on parole or probation, or if you have other restrictions such as using an ignition interlock device or substantial fines to pay, transitioning can be difficult. Try seeking out state or community organizations that help people with criminal records enter the workforce, and seek support from friends and family if you can.
Avoiding Recidivism
For people who are found not guilty and for those who serve their sentences and are released, avoiding recidivism (committing the same crime again) can be extremely difficult. This is especially true for people arrested for DUI, who may have problems with overuse of alcohol or drugs. Again, a support network can be key to avoid further DUIs. You may seek substance abuse treatment, either as part of a court-imposed sentence or on your own. Some also suggest therapy or support groups to provide guidance and contacts that can help keep you out of the court system.
If you are facing DUI charges, seek out an attorney who knows the Oklahoma criminal law system inside and out. Clint Patterson, Esq., of Patterson Law Firm, a former Tulsa prosecutor now using his trial experience and expert-level knowledge of DUI science to defend drivers, has the experience and the insight to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case. To schedule a case evaluation, visit Patterson Law Firm online or call Clint’s office at (918) 550-9175.