Being stopped and detained for driving while under the influence of liquor, a charge usually called DUI, is both embarrassing and frightening. DUI charges can often result in harsh penalties so you may be concerned about what will happen in court but be unconvinced an attorney is necessary. You may think there's nothing at all to be done. However, you may want to have a lawyer by your side to argue the following for you.

1. Your Lawyer May Prove Your Detention Was Illegal

One thing that could be extremely helpful in a DUI case is to realize that your entire stop shouldn't have happened. Without knowledge of laws related to traffic stops, you may never even think of arguing about the legality of your situation. An attorney, by contrast, can listen to your story beforehand and point out that the officer who ended up pulling you over did something wrong. If they didn't have a lawful reason for stopping your journey or made any missteps along the way, your case has a decent possibility of getting thrown out. If your lawyer proves this, you could leave court without any punishment at all.

2. Your Attorney Can Challenge Machine Accuracy

If your lawyer can bring into question the results of a breathalyzer which recorded how drunk you were at the time, you may also escape harsh punishment. Your lawyer can acquire records about the machine itself to look into the last time it was calibrated or serviced.

3. You Lawyer Can Reduce Penalties

Depending on the jurisdiction where you were stopped, the court could request that not only do you pay fines, but that you spend time in jail or have your driving rights taken for some weeks. This could cause a true hardship if you must work or do other things in your life. Your own voice could fall on deaf ears, but legal counsel can negotiate with the prosecutor and judge to get a lenient sentence for you. This is especially needed if you are charged with other crimes in addition to the DUI. By pleading down to the minimum, you may escape  the worst of any charges.

Your lawyer can work your DUI charge in a way that ultimately relieves your stress and allows you to steer clear of the worst that comes along with charges like this. Communicating with them and having them next to you in court is advisable. Contact an attorney, like Throgmorton Winston Attorney , to get started.