Being Released After a DWI/DUI: What Will Happen Next?
Once you are released from jail after a DUI/DWI arrest, likely the first thing you will notice is that your driver’s license has been replaced with a different document. Once you were arrested, your license was taken from you and you were provided with a temporary license. This temporary license contains important information about your driving privileges.
The issue is that most people are in shock after the arrest and will often put the temporary license away without closely reviewing the information. It is important to note, however, that the temporary license instructs drivers to contact the DMV within 10 days of release after a DUI/DWI. Failure to comply with this step will result in the automatic loss of your temporary license. In addition to your temporary license, you will also be issued a notice to appear in court.
Other Common Mistakes:
In addition to not reviewing the information on their temporary license, the biggest mistake that people make after an arrest is to ignore that it happened. Many people want to deny that the arrest happened and hope that ignoring it will make the arrest go away. This attitude is detrimental to your defense as it may result in missed deadlines and/or court dates.
There are also some things you must do immediately after your release that cannot be delayed. This will include returning to the business or residence where you had drinks in order to get the names of potential witnesses. You will also want to see if the bartender remembers serving you and what you had. This information can greatly help your defense and will likely be unavailable after time passes.
Confiscation of Original License:
As mentioned earlier, your physical license will be taken from you and replaced with a temporary license. Your original license will not be returned to you unless you request a court hearing. If you are successful, your original license will be returned to you without any issues. If you are unsuccessful, you will not be able to get your original license until after a full hearing on your DUI/DWI case or completion of an alcohol program. You will also need to complete any other requirements that the DMV requires.
Temporary License and Driving a Vehicle:
The temporary license is valid for 30 days and works similar to your original license. The 30 days start from the time the temporary license is issued. If you do not ask for a hearing to request a stay on the suspension, your temporary license will no longer be valid and you can no longer drive.
Requesting DMV Hearing:
A DMV hearing can be requested by you or your attorney. It is advisable to allow your attorney to set up the hearing, as well as any other hearing. This is because an attorney will understand and appreciate the required court procedures and evidence required for your defense. Your attorney will have a better insight into evidence and witnesses, which will ultimately lead to a better defense of your case.
Hiring an Experienced DWI Attorney:
Should you hire an attorney to handle your DUI/DWI? Yes, as it will likely lead to the best possible outcome for your case. If you have a DUI/DWI, you will feel stressed and will likely not know what you should do next. This is just one of the reasons why you should hire a DUI/DWI lawyer. They will be able to alleviate some of your stress and walk you through the next steps of your case.
When looking for a lawyer, you should hire someone who has years of experience and specializes in DUI/DWI cases. You should also find out more about their case volume and how they have handled past DUI/DWI cases. A DUI/DWI arrest can cause a lot of problems for you and your family from loss of jobs to financial hardships. Hiring an attorney will reduce the chances of this happening to you and your family.