Reasons to Hire a Defense Lawyer in a Drunk Driving Case

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a crime in every state. In Iowa and Nebraska, the crime of driving under the influence is known as an OWI, and conviction can carry serious consequences. While you have the right to represent yourself in court, hiring a drunk driving lawyer greatly increases your chances of getting a reduced sentence, or even having the charges dropped completely.

At Fitch & Stahle Law Offices, our experienced lawyers handle a variety of criminal defense cases, including OWI cases, in South Sioux City, NE, and Sioux City, IA. Here are some of the best reasons to hire an OWI attorney when you’re facing charges.

OWI Laws Are Complex

The legal system in both Iowa and Nebraska is very complex, especially with OWI law. While you can study the law yourself and try to represent yourself in court, this is a very time consuming and difficult process. On the other hand, an OWI lawyer knows the OWI laws in and out and understands the factors that can affect your case.

OWI Lawyers are Experienced in the Courtroom

Matters of the court are best left to experienced OWI lawyers. An OWI attorney will be familiar with both the Iowa and Nebraska Sioux City court systems, and good ones will even understand the specific prosecutor’s tactics, which can help reduce your punishment.

Plea Bargain Help

One of the most common tactics of the prosecution in drunk driving cases is offering a plea bargain. In theory, this plea bargain is the same regardless of whether the defendant hires an attorney or represents themselves. However, in practice, the standard offer is just a starting point and experienced OWI attorneys can whittle down the standard offer by pointing out weaknesses in the prosecution’s case or bringing mitigating factors to the prosecutor’s attention. Thus, it is not always the best strategy for the defendant to accept a plea bargain without first consulting an attorney.

A Guilty Plea Can Affect Your Job

When you’re facing OWI charges, you will want to do everything in your power to get the charges dropped or reduced. A guilty plea for drunk driving carries strict consequences with it, especially if you are a repeat offender. You can lose your job, incur hefty fines, and even go to jail. Some jobs take background information and criminal charges seriously, so if you want to avoid having an OWI on your record, hiring an OWI attorney is your best option.

Can Help You Understand Your Rights

Not all citizens of the United States are aware of their legal rights in a courtroom. An OWI attorney can help you understand all of your rights so that you can get your charges reduced.

Sioux City Drunk Driving Lawyer

Robert J. Stahle and Thomas A. Fitch are accredited criminal defense lawyers in Iowa and Nebraska. They have a wide variety of experience in legal matters, including drunk driving cases, and hold a reputation for legal representation that goes above and beyond.

To find out how we can help you in your drunk driving case, contact our office at (402) 494-3012.