The most critical time of a case is the few days that follow the arrest. Getting an experienced lawyer is also critical. As a prosecutor, I prosecuted and handled 613 DUI cases. As a criminal defense lawyer, that number is now well over 1000 DUI cases handled.
Many lawyers advertise that they handle DUI cases, but very few have actually or will actually take your case to trial. Prosecutors know what lawyers will or will not take a case to trial. For those lawyers who will not take your DUI to trial, there is no incentive for a prosecutor to reduce or dismiss their client’s case as they know it will not be a trial. As a former prosecutor and now criminal defense lawyer, I have handled over 1000 DUI cases.
Choosing a DUI Lawyer
An attorney specializing in DUI defense or a criminal defense lawyer with a heavy emphasis on DUI defense is preferable. DUI defense is essentially criminal trial work. Although not every case goes to trial, a good DUI lawyer will have the trial skills necessary to raise the defenses you may have during the course of your case. How to choose the best lawyer for a DUI? At the end of the day you must personally like the lawyer who is handling your case. Take the time to call or sit down with the lawyer you are seeking to hire to see if that lawyer is for you. During this sit down, don’t be afraid to ask the lawyer when was the last time he or she went to trial on a case. You may be shocked at their answers. Make sure you hire someone who has taken cases to trial and who will still take a case to trial. As a former prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer, I have handled over 1000 DUI cases.
How much should I expect to pay for a quality DUI attorney?
DUI lawyers are a dime a dozen. With the saturation of the DUI defense market, you will have lawyers handle DUI cases for $500. Of course, you will get what you pay for.
If you pay a little amount, you are going to get very little work. Robert A. Dees takes pride in defending DUI clients for a reasonable and competitive fee; however, he is not the least expensive lawyer will find. Again, the cheapest lawyer is never a good option. Conversely, just because someone charges you a larger sum of money doesn’t make them a good lawyer. Ask questions! Do you go to trial and when was the last time you actually tried a case?
I have practiced in the area of DUI since 2002. In that 20+ years, I have dealt with just about every situation imaginable regarding DUI. There is not much as a former prosecutor or now as a criminal defense lawyer that I haven’t seen. Being in court and defending clients for over 20 years provides a depth of experience that you, as my client, will have at your side.
At Robert A. Dees, PA, I keep our fees reasonable and competitive while striving to provide a high level of attention to each client. For over 20 years, I have been practicing DUI defense in Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach and Destin. Let my experience go to work for you. Let me take the worry out of your situation. Call now for a FREE discussion regarding your case.
Misdemeanor DUI
A 1st or 2nd arrest for DUI is a
misdemeanor offense. A conviction for a 1st offense DUI can result in a driver’s license suspension, DUI school requirements, and probation. A second offense requires a mandatory 10 days in the county jail and a possible 5 year driver’s license suspension. Also, the person is subject to an ignition interlock device which requires a driver to blow into a machine to starting a vehicle.
Felony DUI
If you have 2 or more prior DUI convictions or any other alcohol related driving conviction, the 3rd offense can be charged as a
felony. With a felony DUI, you are facing a possible 5 years in prison, 10 year suspension of your driver’s license, and it is a requirement that you be labeled as a convicted felon. An experienced DUI lawyer like Robert A. Dees can raise various defenses to help prevent the prosecutor from enhancing a DUI to the felony level.
DMV Formal Review Hearing
Once you have been issued a DUI citation, you only have 10 days to request a
Formal Review Hearing from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles before your license is simply suspended.
Science of Breath Tests
Breath tests are performed using a breath test machine. The machines run off computers. With any computer, malfunction is always a possibility; however, the most common error is human error. It doesn’t matter what your breath level reports to be if there was an error in the procedure or the machine. So, don’t worry. Let my experience work for you. I will challenge the test result and attempt to exclude this evidence.
Field Sobriety/Roadside Tests
Field Sobriety Tests are designed for failure. If an officer is asking you to perform field sobriety or roadside tests, he has already made his mind up that you are impaired. Please review the information on this site so that you understand how I can help extinguish a DUI arrest. Whether your arrest is in Escambia, Okaloosa, or Santa Rosa County, I attack the officer’s procedure the same way time after time, case after case.
DUI Refusal
Does a refusal automatically suspend your license? Not necessarily. I may be able to save you from both the refusal suspension and ultimately a DUI conviction. If you
refused a test of your breath alcohol level, call me to learn more about what I can do to help you.
DUI with Serious Bodily Injury
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DUI with serious bodily injury conviction carries a mandatory prison sentence. The length of that prison sentence will be determined by the seriousness of the injury. If you have been arrested for a DUI with serious bodily injury, contact me immediately to discuss your options.
Finding the Right DUI Attorney
Robert A. Dees, PA is ready to take your call and answer any questions that you have. I am here to help. Just call us at
850-439-0999.
I have a solid reputation of defending misdemeanor and felony DUI cases in Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach and Destin. Contact Robert A. Dees, PA at
850-439-0999 for a free consultation.
