There are DUI laws in place in all 50 states of the U.S. These laws stipulate how much alcohol is too much (maximum BAC) and impose harsh penalties on anyone who is caught operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you are drive under the influence you risk a lot more than just ending up in an accident.

Those who are caught driving under the influence are usually arrested on the spot and have their vehicle impounded. Once convicted of a DUI offense they can face expensive fines and court fees (usually in the thousands of dollars), and lengthy jail time.

There are a number of long term ramifications as well. A DUI conviction can mean forced alcohol education classes (paid for out of pocket), years of probation, the loss of your driver’s license (either temporarily or permanently), more expensive insurance or dropped coverage and possibly having to have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle. Being convicted of driving under the influence can also cause you to have restrictions on your ability to travel out of the country or even out of your home state. Some people even lose their jobs because of their DUI convictions.

If you get arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, one of the first things that you will hear as the officers cuff you are your Miranda Rights. Police officers are required by law to remind you off your rights, including your right to legal representation. If you cannot afford your own attorney, or choose to not hire one, you will have an attorney appointed to you by the courts.

However, court appointed attorneys are often less knowledgeable about the intricacies of defending someone charged with DUI. As with all legal issues, the DUI laws vary somewhat by state and are constantly changing. For this reason, only an attorney specializing in DUI offenses in your state will be able to provide you with the best possible defense.

Court appointed attorneys also have very little motivation to really help their clients beat a DUI conviction or at least help them avoid some of the harsher penalties. A court appointed attorney is representing you out of obligation to the state, not out of obligation to you to provide you with the best legal defense. As such, it is in their best interest to resolve your case as quickly as possible, regardless of what is in your best interest.

On the other hand, if you hire an attorney then it is in their best interest to do a good job in defending you and in serving your interests. An attorney who doesn’t defend his or her clients well doesn’t get many new clients. Hiring your own defense attorney significantly improves your chances of feeling the full brunt of the law if you are arrested for driving under the influence. A simple online search can help you to find the best DUI attorney in your area.

DUI Defense team