A DUI charge is very serious. Perhaps more serious than the DUI charge is the underlying issue that the driver may have an alcohol problem. Yet many DUI offenders are either too embarrassed or afraid to tell anyone about their issue despite the possible benefits. If you have been charged with DUI, and you are an alcoholic, you should tell your DUI attorney that you are an alcoholic for the following reasons.
1) Trust/Credibility.
First and foremost, being honest with your DUI attorney establishes a good rapport and trusting relationship. At the moment you were charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, your DUI attorney became your best friend. He or she will help shape the course of your future, and you want that person to trust what you are saying. Admitting that you have an alcohol problem, while difficult, provides instant credibility.
2) Alternative Sentencing.
Most states offer alternative sentences for DUI charges than fines or incarceration. These types of sentences can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and generally include diversion programs, substance abuse education, driving education, and other eye-opening experiences intended to help those who have been charged with DUI. By letting your attorney know that you are open to these programs because you think they may help, you are also widening your options when you go to court for sentencing.
3) Easier to Help.
If your DUI attorney doesn’t know you need help with an alcohol problem, then your DUI attorney is not going to offer you help with your alcohol problem. However, if you tell him or her that you are an alcoholic, and need some help, then you are more likely to benefit from the resources at the attorney’s disposal. Most DUI attorneys have programs and contacts that they can refer DUI offenders to, which help with DUI problems and overall alcoholism.
4) Your Life May Depend On It.
If you continue to drink, more and more each day, and continue to drive without getting help, you could end up seriously injured. Or worse, you could end up in a fatal accident. This isn’t even to mention the other innocent people out there that are subject to injury or death you’re your DUI. Letting your DUI attorney know that you have a problem can lead to the solution that you need to make sure that none of this happens.
Admitting to your DUI attorney that you are an alcoholic is just one step in the process, albeit an extremely important one; therefore, you should have this conversation as early on as possible. You will then have taken one step towards creating a strategy for defending your case. Once that hurdle is out of the way, you still need to deal with the court case and the administrative hearing associated with a DUI charge.
DUI laws vary from state to state, and you should consult with an attorney if you receive a DUI citation. If you are in need of help for a DUI in Maryland or Virginia, contact a Maryland DUI attorney or Virginia DUI attorney.
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