If you are a first-time DWI offender, you may be wondering what you should do next to protect your rights and future. No one plans on getting arrested for drunk driving, so you’re probably unprepared as to what your next should be. Taking the right steps immediately after your arrest can help you obtain the most favorable outcome possible.
The following are the five steps you should take after a DWI arrest:
- Submit to a chemical test after arrest – According to New York’s implied consent, if you refuse to take a breath or blood test after a DWI arrest, your driver’s license will automatically get suspended for one year.
- Contact an experienced DWI attorney – DUI laws are complicated and require someone who knows the ins and outs of the legal system in a specific regard. A lawyer who specializes in drunk driving cases can investigate your arrest, examine all of the available evidence, and build an effective defense strategy to either get your charges reduced or your entire case dismissed.
- Post bail – It is possible you may need to post bail, depending on the circumstances of your case. The bail bond company will need a fee, upfront. Once the fee is paid, they will post bail for you and make sure you will be at your hearings.
- Schedule a DMV hearing – If you refused to submit to a chemical test, you have 14 days to schedule a Refusal Hearing with the DMV. This is considered a separate hearing from your criminal case, where an administrative law judge will determine whether or not you knowingly refused.
- Get ready for arraignment – The arraignment is where you enter your plea---whether it is guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
If you have been arrested for a DWI in New York, our Nassau County criminal defense attorneys at Foley Griffin can help you get your life back on track. As former prosecutors, our legal team has an extensive knowledge of the court system and law enforcement. We are fully qualified to handle your case from start to finish.
For more information, contact us and request a free consultation today.