If the police in Portland or elsewhere in Oregon arrest you for driving while intoxicated, you need a lawyer. More specifically, you need an experienced DUI lawyer who has successfully represented other clients. This is the only way you have a chance at fighting a conviction and ensuring your rights are protected. While your Portland DUI lawyer will play a major role in your case, you also have to do your part. If you make some of the mistakes other accused people do, you can make your lawyer’s job a lot harder. What should be a simple case could get very complicated. Let’s look at how you can help both yourself and your lawyer.
Be Careful About What You Say
The police will question you when they pull you over. Remember, you have the constitutional right to remain silent. You’ll need to tell the officer your name and address but don’t answer any questions about whether you’ve been drinking. Even if you think you’re innocent, be careful about going into details before speaking to your lawyer. Anything you say to the police can be used against you. Even things that seem insignificant could jeopardize your case and make things difficult for your lawyer. The best thing to do is to seek legal counsel before volunteering information.
Avoid Talking About Your Case
If you’ve been charged with a DUII, you may be scared, worried, and confused. You may want to talk to someone about your case to vent your concerns or ease your fears. However, as much as possible, don’t share information about your case with anyone except your lawyer. When you talk to your family and friends, avoid discussing any of the specifics. The last thing you want is for important details to get into the wrong hands.
Be Punctual and Pay Attention to Your Appearance
When you have to meet with your Portland DUI lawyer or attend court, turn up on time, and dress appropriately. You need to be serious about preparing your defense and fighting the charges against you. Consultations provide an opportunity for you to get new details on your case or updates on your court appearances. If you skip a meeting or show up too late, you may not get all the information you need. It’s also important that you show the court the respect it deserves. You don’t want to get on the judge’s bad side when your fate could be in their hands. Your Portland DUI attorney will help you to prepare even more.
Always Tell Your Lawyer the Truth
Sometimes, DUIs occur in embarrassing circumstances. You may want to forget what happened and never mention it again. However, you need to be honest with your attorney if you want them to help you fight. Even if you are guilty of the charges, you need to make sure you give your lawyer all the relevant information. Your lawyer needs to know how to prepare for any circumstances that arise. You don’t want them to be blindsided in the middle of the case. Just tell the truth and let your lawyer handle the rest.
Stay in Contact with Your Portland DUI Lawyer
Your case may not move at the pace you expect. However, you need to stay in contact with your lawyer, so you get any pertinent updates. Make sure you provide them with your new contact details if you change your phone number or your address. Your lawyer needs to be able to reach you if they have questions or they want to share information with you. If you miss a court date, the judge could issue a warrant for your arrest.
Contact a Skilled Portland DUI Lawyer for Help with Your DUII Case
A conviction for a DUII can result in jail time, heavy fines, suspension of your driver’s license, and reputational damage. You may also lose your professional license and your livelihood. If you want a positive outcome, you need to trust your Portland DUI law firm and work closely with them.
Your attorney wants to make sure that you get a fair hearing and that your rights aren’t breached. You need to help them. If you speak about the case with other people or miss your court dates, you’ll undermine their work. It’s best to follow your attorney’s instructions and help them in any way you can. If you’ve been charged with a DUII and you want expert representation, book a consultation with the Trilogy Law Group today.
