I have been charged with my first DUI offense in Gary, Indiana. I don’t really know how the court process works. What will happen on my first court date and to I have to attend that if I have retained a lawyer?

Rasheed

Gary, IN

Many are actually not familiar with the court process in any criminal case, including a DUI charge. Since you have been charged with DUI in Gary, Indiana, your first scheduled court appearance would be the arraignment. This is the formal reading of your criminal complaint to inform you of the DUI charges against you. During this hearing, you will be asked to enter a plea which is either guilty, not guilty, or no contest in response to the DUI charges against you. The police report at the time of your DUI arrest and a Complaint, typically, are presented to the court. If you plead guilty, an evidentiary hearing will follow. If you plead not guilty, a date will be set for a preliminary trial.

But if you have been charged with a misdemeanor DUI and have retained a lawyer, you will typically not need to be present for the first court appearance. If it is a felony DUI case, your attendance at the arraignment is mandatory, regardless of whether or not you have retained a lawyer on the matter.

Tags: drunk driving laws, DUI, DUI advice, DUI lawyer

After weighing things out, I came to a decision that I will be hiring a lawyer who specializes in the charges against me. Just a few days ago, I was charged with DUI here in Indiana. Since I have already decided, how will a find a DUI lawyer who would help me in my case?

Angelo

Fort Wayne, IN

That would be a smart decision, Angelo. If you have been charged with DUI in Indiana, you should hire a competent and reliable lawyer who can fight against your charges and prove that you are innocent. DUI is a very serious traffic violation for which you may be seriously penalized.

There are a few things that you have to keep in mind in finding a DUI lawyer who would best help you in your case. You can check out online directories to get the list of Indiana DUI attorneys available. There are various lawyers that have the skill and expertise to defend you against your DUI charges. You may also want to speak with members and friends. They could be able to help and guide you about the lawyers best suited for your DUI case. You have to look for only attorneys who are specialized in DUI cases. They would know about the latest legal developments and will be able to guide you better. Lastly, you have to meet a few of the attorneys and consult them about your DUI case. This will give you an idea about how knowledgeable they are and about whether you feel comfortable working with them or not. If the lawyer is judgmental or too harsh, you will not feel comfortable and this may not work the case against you.

My daughter was charged for DUI here in Indiana. We know a lot of good lawyers around but none of them is a DUI lawyer. How would a regular lawyer help us in my daughter’s case?

Nancy

Fort Wayne, IN

Thanks for asking, Nancy.

There are many urban legends, half-truths and falsehoods about DUI charges. Some people mistakenly think a chemical test refusal will get them out of a DUI stop. Some believe such nonsense as sucking on loose change can help beat a breathalyzer test if pulled over by police under suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The number one myth of drunk driving arrests is the idea that any lawyer can represent someone accused in a drunk driving accident or a DUI stop.
A qualified Indiana DUI legal expert is your daughter’s best defense against a DUI charge. If your daughter believes that she has been falsely or inaccurately accused, she doesn’t have to try her luck with a lawyer who has no proven track record in DUI cases.