Arrested for a DUI
Being arrested for a DUI can be a life-changing event. For first-time offenders, you’ll be going through a process that you would’ve never imagined yourself in. Hearing the words “you’re under arrest,” getting cuffed and put in the back of the car, and being booked into jail are all events that can cause a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety. And that’s just the first few hours.
Now that you’ve bonded out and had some time to take in the situation, what do you do? What’s the next step? For a Mississippi DUI, your next and probably most important task is to talk to a Southaven DUI lawyer. The earlier you can get have experienced legal counsel on your side, the better your chances of a good outcome. Your lawyer can review all the facts, advise you of the best options and likely outcomes, and begin crafting a defense.
You need also to remember everything about your case (so you can tell your lawyer). Write it down if necessary because just going off your memory will not be as reliable. Why were you stopped, where were you pulled over, how much did you have to drink if any, were you on any medications, were you experiencing the effects of any medical conditions at the time…these are just some of the many details that could make the difference in the case.
Don’t talk about it—especially on social media. They told you when you were arrested that anything you say can and will be used against you, and that warning does not end when you leave the jail. Police and prosecutors will comb social media sites to see what their defendants are up to, and you never know when someone you think is a friend will turn around and hand over something you told them to the authorities. It’s just good practice in life not to talk about your personal stuff outside of your closest, most confidential inner circle, and that is certainly true with a matter like a DUI.
These are some of the most important things to do in the days after being arrested. The next step is going to court, and by then your attorney will be negotiating with the state, gathering information, and formulating the best defense for you. If you’ve been charged with a drunk driving in Mississippi and don’t know where to start, contact Southaven DUI lawyer Patrick Stegall for help. Mr. Stegall is an experienced criminal lawyer who will review your case and advise you of the best options.
Click here to read Southaven DUI Law Articles on what to do after you’ve been charged
