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Augusta DUI Lawyers

• GONZALEZ & WADDINGTON: Drunk Driving - Driving Under the Influence DUI in the US Drunk driving is the act of operating and/or driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs to the degree that mental and motor skills are impaired. It is illegal in all jurisdictions within the U.S. The specific criminal offense is usually called driving under the influence [of alcohol and/or other drugs] (DUI), and in some states driving while intoxicated (DWI), operating while impaired (OWI), or operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI). Such laws may also apply to boating or piloting aircraft. In the United States the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 17,941 people died in 2006 in "alcohol-related" collisions, representing 41 percent of total traffic deaths in the US. Over 500,000 people were injured in alcohol-related accidents in the US in 2003. NHTSA defines fatal collisions as "alcohol-related" if they believe the driver, a passenger, or a nonoccupant of the vehicle (such as a pedestrian or pedalcyclist) had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.01 or greater. NHTSA defines nonfatal collisions as "alcohol-related" if the accident report indicates evidence of alcohol present. NHTSA specifically notes that "alcohol-related" does not necessarily mean a driver or nonoccupant was tested for alcohol and that the term does not indicate a collision or fatality was caused by the presence of alcohol. On average, about 60 percent of the BAC values are missing or unknown. To analyze what they believe is the complete data, statisticians simulate BAC information.
• Hammond, Shawn: If you have been arrested for DUI, call a lawyer as soon as possible. The prosecution builds their case from day one. Calling a lawyer early gives you time to prepare a strong defense against the charges.
• Goolsby Law Firm: After being charged with a crime, you must get an attorney as quickly as possible.
• Claridge Law Firm: Complex legal matters involve important decisions that affect the rest of your life.
• Joshua Earwood: A conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will result in a driver's license suspension, jail time, a fine and other serious criminal penalties. A DUI conviction may make it difficult or impossible to secure employment in many different fields. While most lawyers offer representation to persons charged with DUI, many do nothing more than collect a fee and stand beside their client as he or she enters a guilty plea. A competent and capable DUI attorney will review the case with an eye towards dismissal if possible, and negotiate a plea as a last resort.
• Christopher Paul: When compared to later stages, the risk of proceeding without counsel during early stages of the criminal process is not as pronounced. For this reason, during these preliminary stages (e.g., when the accused is asked to enter a plea), the law generally does not require courts to provide the same degree of protection afforded at later stages. In other words, during preliminary stages of the criminal process, courts generally need not strongly advise defendants to retain counsel.