Many people who are charged with a drunk driving offense feel like there’s no way for them to escape the crushing grip of the prosecution’s case. Yet, as we’ve discussed previously on the blog, even when the evidence seems insurmountable, there may be ways for you to attack the prosecution’s case so viciously that you block evidence and obtain dismissed charges or an acquittal. Even if those aren’t possibilities in your case, an aggressive criminal defense could lead to a more favorable plea bargain that allows you to escape the harshest of penalties.
But as you build your DWI criminal defense, you’ll need to be aware of how your actions could negatively impact your case. That’s why in the remainder of this post we want to look at some errors that could be costly to your criminal defense if you’re not careful.
Although much of your criminal defense should focus on gathering evidence to attack the prosecution’s case, there are also several mistakes that you’ll want to avoid. These include:
- Underestimating the severity of your case: You might think that you can escape your charges with nothing more than license suspension and a mark on your criminal record, but the truth is that your charges could be much more severe than you realize. If convicted, you could face jail or prison time, and the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction can negatively impact your life for a long time to come. So, take your drunk driving charges serious from the get-go.
- Talking to the police: Remember, your criminal defense starts as soon as the police suspect that you’ve committed a crime. So, if you’re arrested or are otherwise brought in for questioning, exercising your right to remain silent is the best way to ensure that you don’t inadvertently say something self-incriminating. Staying quiet until your attorney tells you otherwise is thus a good way to start building the foundation of your criminal defense.
- Talking to others about your case: Prosecutors can rely on their subpoena power to force people to testify against you. Therefore, if you talk about your case and your guilt with your family members and friends, then there’s a decent chance that those statements can come back to bite you. Even if you trust your loved ones to stay quiet, they’ll be compelled to testify against you under the penalties of perjury.
- Caving in too quickly: In most DWI cases, plea deals are offered early on so that prosecutors can clear the case and streamline the process. While you might be tempted to get your case over with as quickly as possible, you shouldn’t jump on a plea deal without first fully considering the evidence in your case and your defense options. Doing otherwise could leave you with an unfavorable and perhaps even a completely avoidable outcome.
Protect your interests every step of the way in your DWI case
A DWI case can seem straightforward at first glance, but the truth of the matter is that there can be unexpected complexities that arise when building a drunk driving defense strategy. That’s why you need to start planning your defense early, keeping an eye on the prosecution’s movements and analyzing the evidence they intend to use against you. By doing so, you can hopefully find a way to protect your freedom and your future, thereby allowing you to move onto the next stage of your life with as little harm done as possible.
