What to Do the Morning After a DUI Arrest
The morning after a DUI arrest, a driver who has been arrested may face many obstacles. First, the driver is probably sobering up in jail. Second, the driver may be missing work, school, or child-care obligations. Third, the driver is facing a quickly-approaching court appearance to hear the charges and make a plea. Fourth, the driver is facing the possible loss of his or her license and even car. What should an accused DUI driver do the morning after?
- Ask for the One Phone Call
While in jail, the driver should ask for use of a phone call. Jails should allow a brief call to a person of the driver’s choice. If you are making the phone call:
- Tell the person who answers where you are (which jail you are in)
- Do not share anything about the arrest except that you have been arrested and are in jail (calls are monitored by jail personnel)
- Ask the person who answers to contact a lawyer for you
- Ask the person who answers to notify your appointments that you will not be there that day
If you receive a call like this, keep it brief and don’t pry for information about the arrest. Find out which jail the driver is in and if a release date is known. Notify child care providers, employers, and others if the driver requests. Finally, seek out a knowledgeable local DUI attorney to help the driver.
- Figure Out Bail and a Plea
A lawyer can visit the jail and help the driver confirm his or her plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest). Further, the lawyer can arrange for payment of bail and obtaining a bond. The driver should discuss the first appearance before a judge in court with the lawyer, as well as the facts of what happened. If you believe that you cannot afford a lawyer, you may receive help from a public defender.
- Get the Car Back and Fight to Save Your License
Finally, keep in mind that getting the car back and requesting an administrative hearing regarding the driver’s license status are time sensitive. Impound fees for the car of a driver arrested on the roadside grow every day. Further, you only have 15 days to request the administrative hearing that could allow you to get your license back, rather than have it taken away until long after your DUI case is resolved. A lawyer can help with these steps.
Need an attorney for DUI charges in Oklahoma? Seek out the attorney who is in court nearly every day and teaches other attorneys and law enforcement about sobriety testing techniques. 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.