How DUI Attorney Can Help You Facing DUI, DWI Or Similar Charges?

A DUI Attorney Can Help Your Case

If you've been charged with a DUI, DWI or other drinking and driving charge, you may have a staggering amount of questions.

Depending on your state, blood alcohol content, criminal history and other considerations, drunken driving charges can carry penalties ranging from:

Probation
Suspension of driving privileges
Community service
Jail time
Thousands of dollars of fees

Having a lawyer on your side can probably help take the confusion and frustration out of the process and possibly reduce your punishment.

Do I Really Need a DUI Lawyer?

You may feel that the case against you is hopeless but you do have the right to a defense. Even if you do not pursue a trial, an attorney may help lower the penalties that come with a guilty or no-contest plea.

And consulting with an attorney prior to your arraignment may give you the confidence you may need after you DUI arrest.

An attorney may also find processing errors, lack of probable cause or other circumstances in which your case could be dismissed.

How Do I Choose the Right DUI Lawyer?

It is important to find an attorney who makes you feel comfortable. There are many variables to consider, but finding a lawyer who is qualified and experienced in DUI cases is essential if you choose to fight your drunk driving ticket.

Many attorneys offer no-obligation consultations.

Where Can I Find a DUI Attorney?

If you've been charged with DUI, you may feel that you have nowhere to turn. A local attorney who specialized in this law area may be your best asset in fighting your ticket.

As more and more attorneys move from traditional (and costly) advertising sources like the phone book and TV to the Web, you can now find an attorney in your area in just a few clicks.

How Vehicular Manslaughter Charges Can Affect You

DUI is a serious charge in Arizona, but that's particularly true if you were driving under the influence, got into an accident and someone was killed as a result of the collision.  Even if you were barely above the legal limit and had no intent whatsoever to cause any sort of injury or death, it may not matter should the state decide to prosecute you under this charge.

Below is a brief look at how the vehicular manslaughter laws work in Arizona, but if you are facing prosecution for this sort of situation, the worst thing you can do is sit in fear and hope that it goes away, as it will not.  The best thing you could do right now is contact a criminal defense lawyer and start building your defense right away.

Vehicular Manslaughter Laws in Arizona

Ironically, there is no statute in Arizona that speaks specifically to DUI vehicular manslaughter.  Instead, other laws are invoked to bring the prosecution forward, and the following laws are relevant as law enforcement moves towards an arrest.

13-1103. Manslaughter; classification

A. A person commits manslaughter by:

1. Recklessly causing the death of another person;

Recklessly is the key word in this statute, as the Arizona laws dictate that anyone who is proven to have been driving under the influence is acting recklessly as a matter of law.  Specifically, it means that a person knew of the risks he was encountering and acted anyway with disregard for those risks.  Therefore, a person convicted of DUI and who caused an accident that led to a death will be charged with manslaughter, which is a Class 2 felony.

If you are convicted of manslaughter because of a DUI, you could face a substantial prison sentence.  While there is a range available to the court, a defendant could face up to 21 years in prison if he or she is convicted.  This does not include any other charges that could be 'bundled' with your conviction, inclu