Most people are aware of the fact that drinking alcohol and driving a vehicle are two things that really shouldn’t be done in unison. After all, even the most seasoned drinkers can have a hard time predicting just exactly how much alcohol will constitute “too much” on any given night. In fact, ask anyone who’s been drinking alcohol recreationally for years, and he’ll probably tell you that some nights, he can indulge to his heart’s content without so much as feeling a thing, while other nights, he can barely hold his liquor after a couple of drinks.
Since it is difficult to pinpoint the exact moment in which that next sip of alcohol will be the one to tip you over the edge and cause problems with your ability to drive, if you’re going to be consuming alcohol, then your best bet is to find yourself a way home that doesn’t involve you getting behind the wheel. On the other hand, depending on where you live, finding a designated driver or taxi service can be easier said than done. And furthermore, it’s not inconceivable to wind up in a scenario where you think you’re fully capable of driving safely, but in reality are impaired enough to warrant a DUI charge.
If you happen to find yourself in the unfortunate situation of getting charged with driving under the influence of alcohol (or any other substance, for that matter), then you should know that the right lawyer can make a difference as far as your outcome is concerned. Just ask Jennifer B. Page, an experienced Rockville, Maryland DUI lawyer who has helped her fair share of clients over the years, and she’ll tell you that it takes a specific approach to DUI defense to help those charged come away as unscathed as possible.
According to Page, those charged with a DUI for the first time tend to approach their legal predicaments feeling embarrassed and scared. After all, in Page’s experience, the average first-time DUI offender is rarely a criminal, but rather, an average individual who simply made a mistake; and it is her ability to set forth this type of distinction that makes her so good at what she does.
The problem with first-time DUI offenses, according to Page, is that a judge can’t simply look at someone charged and know whether or not he is going to make the same mistake again. Therefore, some judges have no choice but to err on the side of caution and protect the public by making those charged with DUI suffer the consequences of poor judgment, even if such behavior is truly out of character for them.
As someone who has been helping DUI offenders for years, Page understands that when a judge makes a decision about a client one way or another, he essentially puts his reputation on the line. She therefore does her best to present her clients to judges in the most favorable light possible. In some cases, this involves placing her clients in the right certified alcohol programs to show that they are proactively rehabilitating and doing whatever they can to ensure that they never wind up making the mistake of driving under the influence again. According to Page, this type of approach is essential in helping those charged with DUI achieve the best possible outcomes.
When a person charged with DUI appears before a judge, and that judge is presented with proof that the accused has learned from his mistakes, then he may end up offering a lighter sentence. After all, if a judge doesn’t have to worry as much about sending a potentially dangerous driver back on the road, then he may be willing to show some leniency given the circumstances involved. The right DUI attorney will know just what it takes to get a judge to view each client not as a criminal, but as someone who made a mistake and is truly sorry for it.
Of course, when defending a client, a good DUI lawyer will do more than just cater to the judge assigned to the case. According to Page, your attorney should be a caring, empathetic person by nature who is willing to be tough in the courtroom, but gentle towards offenders who are anxious and scared. While some professionals in the field tend to have trouble achieving this balance, Page prides herself on her fighting attitude and commitment to client concerns.
If you’ve been charged with DUI, then you should try to find a lawyer who offers a winning combination of experience, aggressiveness, and empathy. And remember, as bleak as your situation might seem, the right DUI attorney can do her best to prevent one mistake from ruining your entire future.
This article is for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this article as a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances, and you should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Publication of this article and your receipt of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.
