If it is your first time being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), you are likely worrying about what you should do next. After all, being placed under arrest can be a scary experience. In addition to facing fines, increased insurance rates, and jail time; your reputation can also take a hit when you are arrested for DUI. Below, we explain what you should do after you have been arrested for DUI.
Write Down What You Remember
The details of your arrest will be essential to how you develop a defense strategy for your case. Because of this, you should sit down and write out everything that you can remember from when you were arrested. Try not to leave any details out, no matter how insignificant they might seem. Because your memory will fade over time, you should do this as soon as possible to avoid forgetting about important details that might help your case. You can use the following questions to help you remember the details of your arrest:
- Where were you stopped?
- Were you given a reason for being pulled over?
- Did you take a sobriety test or submit to chemical testing?
- What questions did the officer ask you during the arrest?
Make Your Social Media Accounts Private
It is important to remember that anything you say can be used against you in a court of law, this includes what you say or what is said about you online. Prosecutors will search through your Facebook and Twitter accounts to track down incriminating photos or posts that can be used to dispute your defense. The information on your social media accounts can ruin your reputation if it is presented out of context, so set your profiles to private to avoid lurking prosecutors.
Track Down Witnesses
Speak with anyone who saw you right before, right after, or even during your arrest. Witnesses can be a critical part of your defense strategy if they are willing to testify on your behalf in court. Gather any witnesses you can and have them write down their statement before they forget important details from the night you were arrested.
Hire an Attorney
The most important step you can take after a DUI arrest is to consult with an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible. You should find a lawyer with a good reputation and who has a history of handling DUI cases. DUI cases can be complex, which is why having a skilled attorney on your side can be the difference between being found guilty or not guilty in court.
Have you been arrested for a DUI? We can help. Contact our Denver team of DUI attorneys to request a free consultation today.