The first thing you should do when facing a DUI / OUI in Massachusetts is to contact an attorney. You’re going to have a lot of pressing questions and concerns about your OUI charge, and a DUI / OUI lawyer is the person who can help you work through them. So, if you’re asking yourself, “should I get a lawyer for my first DUI or OUI charge,” the answer is an emphatic yes!
Why You Need a Lawyer
A professional Massachusetts DUI / OUI lawyer will be very familiar with the local courts and judges, which will help them provide you with the best possible service. The more comfortable an attorney is with the local systems, the better equipped they will be to anticipate the types of questions and evidence that could be used against you.
Knowing the court process for a first-offense OUI charge in Massachusetts is just one piece of the puzzle. Your lawyer will also need to know everything about the circumstances that led to your arrest. For example, you will want to have answers to questions like:
- Where were you driving from?
- Where were you driving to?
- What time was it?
- What was the weather and road conditions like?
- How long did the police officer speak to you?
- Did they administer an in-field breathalyzer?
As long as your OUI lawyer has all of the relevant information about the circumstances leading up to, during, and after your arrest, they will be in an ideal position to construct a compelling defense for you in court.
What to Look For in an OUI Lawyer
While any lawyer will be better than none at all, you won’t always want to work with the first person who shows up on Google. Do a little bit of research first by looking at their website, reading testimonials and past cases, and checking out the areas they’re most experienced in. This will help you determine whether a given lawyer will be able to help you get the best outcome possible in court.
You may also want to ask the attorney some questions, even if you found the answers online. How they answer can give you a good idea of the kind of person they are and whether they will be a good fit for you and your case. Some questions you can ask include:
- What does your track record look like?
- How many cases have you gotten dismissed?
- Are there specific documents I should hold onto (tickets, citations, etc.)?
- What’s the best and worst-case scenario I should expect for my case?
- Should we take the case to trial?
The more information you and your OUI lawyer have about each other and the case, the easier it will be for you to work together and develop an ironclad plan for your defense. If you’re still asking, “should I get a lawyer for my first DUI,” reach out to us today! We would be happy to answer any lingering questions and help you get ready for the next steps and prepare for the OUI / DUI trial.
