Even if it’s your first offense, driving under the influence is a serious charge that can have a dramatic impact on your life. While you should never drive while intoxicated, it’s impossible to turn back time.

Once you’ve received this charge in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, time is of the essence to begin working with a DUI lawyer in Bensalem who can walk you through these stages of handling your case.

Avoid Making the Problem Worse

Although you won’t typically have a DUI lawyer at the initial scene, you can help your case by following the officer’s orders. Most states have implied consent laws in place that mean simply making the decision to drive signals agreement to blood, breath and field testing for intoxication.

However, that doesn’t mean that you have to make an admission of guilt.

If possible, consult with a DUI accident lawyer before you make any major moves. At the very least, maintain a polite, calm demeanor if the officer chooses to make an arrest or take you in for processing.

Once you begin communication with the officer, remember that anything you say and do is possibly being recorded.

Prepare for Your Court Appearance

The best DUI lawyer will help you prepare for your court appearance by telling you what to expect. Depending on your case, a DUI defense lawyer may be able to contest the legitimacy of any testing that was done. 

If an accident occurred, then your DUI criminal defense lawyer might also be able to investigate the case to identify other contributing factors.

Understand the Potential Penalties

Ignoring DUI charges is never a good idea because New Jersey and Pennsylvania both have serious penalties in place for people who receive convictions. 

For first-time DUI convictions, you could face jail time, fines and lose your license. Most penalties are based on the severity of your BAC at the time you were arrested.

Many people are required to have ignition interlock devices installed on their vehicles once they regain their license. You may also need to take court-ordered drug and alcohol treatment or driving classes.

Follow Through With the Court Orders

Plea bargaining isn’t typically allowed for DUIs in these states. But, a DUI defense lawyer might be able to help you work with the court to receive more manageable penalties. 

For instance, community service or substance use treatment might be an option to pursue in place of jail time. If the court finds you guilty, then you can expect to face some consequences.

Making sure to pay fines, follow the rules for your probationary period and respect license suspensions helps you move forward faster. 

Call Applebaum & Associates to Get the Representation You Need

Even a first-time DUI is enough to disrupt your life significantly. While going to jail and losing your license are difficult experiences, you could also face social stigma that impacts your employment and personal relationships. 

If you find yourself being pulled over for driving while intoxicated, contact a DUI lawyer in Bensalem at Applebaum & Associates right away to begin taking steps to minimize the impact this experience has on your future.