DMV Hearings...
Your driving privileges will be suspended immediately upon being arrested for driving under the influence. Most states give you the opportunity to appeal the suspension by submitting a written appeal within a very specific time period. It is an administrative process -- NOT a legal one -- but it is regulated by statute. In Florida, once your appeal is received, you may be assigned a DMV hearing on the matter. Since having no driving privileges means you have no way to get to work or school, this is very important for being able to continue with your normal activities. Having a defense attorney speak on your behalf at the hearing can help you to get your driving privileges back. If you’re not represented by a qualified DUI defense attorney, you risk losing your freedom and the opportunity to live a normal life.
Criminal Sentencing Proceedings
In the event you end up being convicted of driving under the influence, you will need a DUI defense attorney to speak on your behalf prior to sentencing. If you don’t make a plea on your behalf, the courts often will not consider all of the circumstances at hand. Your attorney can impress on the court detail reasons why leniency in sentencing should be shown; because you are disabled, have a serious illness, need to work to support your family, or need to care for children or elderly relatives. This opportunity to have an attorney speak on your behalf is very important, so you should be sure that you have John McGowan and Associates on your side during your trial.
Successfully defending yourself against a charge of driving under the influence may be one of the most important things you ever do. Give yourself the best chance of winning by hiring a qualified DUI defense attorney to represent you during your administrative as well as your criminal proceedings.
Remember, the attorneys appointed by the court, though excellent legal minds in their specialization, often do not have the unique skills to represent a client charged under DUI laws. They may specialists in areas such as Trusts or Family law, Contract or Human Resource Law.
You would not go into an operating room without a surgeon to attend you. Nor, except in an emergency, would you have a brain surgeon operate on your knee. Have specialists who know the procedures, the venues, the DMV administrators, represent you to your best advantage.
Use the contact Us tab on the menu at the left and describe your case so we can begin considering your defense. Experience really does matter: don't trust your DUI defense to an inexperienced criminal defense lawyer.