My cousin here in Anchorage, Alaska has just been charged with DUI. The family decided that we will get a lawyer to defend him on his DUI case? Will we be able to speak to a lawyer outright if we contact a law firm?

Lia

Anchorage, AK

Generally, lawyers will not be able to be the person that you can reach if you contact a law firm to defend your cousin his DUI case in Anchorage, Alaska. Except of course, if there is an emergency situation, like if the person is in jail. The highly trained staff members of the law firm answer almost all questions. They usually make effort to let you talk to a lawyer you call in if an immediate need exists. The reason behind that is because lawyers are in court almost every day with previously scheduled client interviews.

Most law firms offer free initial consultation to every person charged with a crime, including DUI charges, who sets an appointment to talk to a lawyer. If your cousin gets to talk to lawyer about his DUI case, make sure that he appears on time and bring all of the paperwork with him. When he comes in for his free consultation, he will be told the favorable and unfavorable aspects of his DUI case and how the lawyer would approach handling his case, based on the knowledge they have in front of them at the time of the consultation. Your cousin is also not obligated to hire the lawyer merely because he has a free initial appointment.

I need to attend DUI class after I was charged with DUI here in Alaska, how do I sign up for that?

Miranda

Anchorage, AK

Just as with any other traffic violations, a DUI charge often end with the accused having to attend DUI class. A DUI School is more likely to be a relatively small part of the sentence for a DUI conviction since you could also face stiff fines, and even serving time in jail. But attending DUI class is a deterrent to future convictions. Before you sign up for DUI class because of your DUI charge in Anchorage, Alaska, you have to find out from the court first and verify with your DUI lawyer exactly what type of DUI class you should attend. The length of time could vary and you should not choose a class that doesn’t satisfy the court.

You can go online to help you find DUI schools near you, and I’m sure you’ll have several options. You can also use other resources online for finding the right DUI School. You might want to use nonprofit or government-run websites for unbiased information. For instance, the local Department of Motor Vehicles office is a public entity and will give you a more complete list of options. While finding the right DUI School, you might also want to find the right car insurance for you so go on and get a free quote from this website.

I have a DUI charge here in Anchorage, Alaska and I am finding reasons to fight my case because I think that it’s gonna be over if I just plead guilty. Will I have any legal and emotional reasons to fight my case?

Elise

Anchorage, AK

Of course you do, you definitely have legal and emotional reasons to fight your DUI case in Alaska. One aspect of your DUI case that you and your DUI lawyer would have to look into is the DUI traffic stop. The prosecution has to prove that the DUI stop was legal in the first place. The DUI lawyer could also have an independent testing of the blood sample that was drawn when you were arrested. The blood sample could also probably be clotted or fermented that produced a false high blood alcohol content (BAC) reading.

The emotional reasons to fight your DUI case could also be significant. Just like any boxer would tell you, it would be better to go down swinging that to back down from the fight. Shrinking from the battle, be it may in the courtroom or elsewhere in life, could bring emotional wounds that are far more hurtful than anything the judge could for you. Sometimes, it would be important to fight, just so you know you have done everything in your power to help the situation. Not to fight your DUI case would carry emotional baggage for a lifetime.

It’s alarming that so many people I know are being caught drunk driving here in Alaska. Of course, I wouldn’t want the same thing to happen to me. If I was asked to stop for a DUI suspicion, what do you think is the best I can do if I’m already placed under arrest?

Ciara

Anchorage, AK

The sad truth is that if you read police reports, it can be frustrating sometimes to know the statements of people who are caught drunk driving. The common problem here is that most people arrested for DUI in Alaska don’t know that they have the right to refuse to answer questions that might incriminate them before they are arrested.

It is very important to always remember that everything you say from the point you are approached by the police officer until you are released from custody can, and most likely will, be in a subsequent police report, and it may be used against you at trial. You don’t need to say anything to the police officer other than your name and insurance information. Also, don’t offer information such as “I only had two beers” or “I’m upset because my boyfriend just broke up with me.” Don’t even make jokes to the police officer. Don’t argue with them, or swear at the officer because you will later regret it.

It is possible for a DUI lawyer to get the statements thrown out, but it is also possible that a judge may leave them intact and they will then be intact for a jury to hear. So always remember to be quiet, give out only essential information, and hope for the best.

I already had the arraignment for my DUI charge and I am waiting for my pretrial conference. I wanna know what usually happens at a DUI pretrial conference?

Zain

Anchorage, AK

During a DUI pretrial conference for your DUI case in Anchorage, Alaska, you and your DUI lawyer would meet with the prosecutor and discuss your charges. The District Attorney or the prosecutor would offer a deal to plead to the DUI charges.

If your DUI lawyer could negotiate a deal that is fair and agreeable to you, then you might agree to the deal and plead guilty of your DUI charge. If you want to fight the DUI case, which is what I highly recommend you to do, your DUI lawyer would file motions for discovery, possibly set a date for a motion to suppress hearing, or determine other court dates as required. Moreover, if you are fighting the DUI case, you might want to talk to your DUI lawyer to give him/her the detailed facts on your DUI case. Your DUI lawyer could also visit the site of the spot where the officer pulled you over. In this way, he/she can investigate any irregularities about the police procedures, and analyze exactly how you should argue that you are not guilty.

Tags: drunk driving laws, DUI, DUI lawyer

I wanna help my father get out of his DUI charge in Alaska. He has a good driving record over the years and it’s hard to believe that he was caught drunk driving. How will a DUI lawyer help him in his situation?

Francine

Anchorage, AK

There are a lot of things that a DUI lawyer can do for your father to help him on his DUI charge. The DUI lawyer can help him out on his Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) hearing to fight for his driver’s license. He must request this hearing within seven days of arrest and the DUI lawyer could be able to guide him on this.

Chemical tests or blood alcohol tests are not always right and the DUI lawyer knows several ways to find out the inaccuracy of the blood alcohol tests. And in doing so, the DUI lawyer could be able to successfully challenge the blood alcohol test results. Experienced DUI lawyers can actually get the maintenance records for the equipment used in the testing. They can also find out the results for the other persons who were tested around the time your father was tested. He has to be prepared, too because no defense is ready unless he is taught how to present himself on the witness stand.

My daughter was arrested for DUI in Anchorage, Alaska and we were told that it is very important for us to hire the services of a DUI lawyer. Why can’t we just get any lawyer?

Van

Anchorage, AK

If your daughter has been arrested for DUI in Anchorage, Alaska, it is imperative that you hire a DUI lawyer to represent your daughter on her DUI case. You should hire an Alaska DUI & Criminal Defense lawyer that focuses his practice on defending those accused of a DUI. This kind of lawyer spends hundreds of hours perfecting the defense of those accused of DUI. Most of them have read all relevant publications, including hundreds of DUI and Criminal Defense Blogs from all over the country. They also regularly attend legal education seminars devoted to DUI defense.

A lawyer who focuses his attention on DUI cases only knows expert witnesses and understands the in’s and out’s of DUI cases to best help your daughter on her defense. The law is way too complicated these days for a lawyer to be a jack-of-all-trades. When your daughter’s reputation, money, job, or freedom is on the line, she needs a lawyer that makes Alaska DUI & Criminal Defense his priority.

My sister was charged with DUI here in Alaska. She is thinking twice as to getting a lawyer or not. A friend said that she can go without a lawyer. How important is having a lawyer to represent her in cases such as this?

Lindsay

Anchorage, AK

For the obvious fact that your sister could either actually be innocent of the DUI charges, or even if she was in fact guilty, she may want to have a very good lawyer representing her no matter what DUI-related charge she is facing right now. A good Alaska DUI lawyer could have the DUI charges against her dismissed by finding flaws in police procedure and handling of the evidence, or also by finding contamination in the breath or blood tests taken. There are many factors that could affect the results of breath or blood test.

A good Alaska DUI lawyer on your sister’s side would give her the best chance at showing reasonable doubt. A good DUI lawyer would also be aware of the many potential strategies, tactics and defenses that can be used. You have to remember that your sister must be found guilty of the DUI-related offense beyond a reasonable doubt for her to be convicted.

You have to keep in mind as well that if your sister will be convicted of her DUI charge in Alaska, there are a lot of aspects in her life that will be affected. So, going in a battle in court for a DUI charge alone is not a good idea at all.

I was recently charged with DUI. I am unsure whether or not I will get a lawyer because I was told that I can just represent my own case. But I am just curious, how will retaining a lawyer assist me?

Kim

Anchorage, AK

The issue of drunk driving in Alaska is a very extensive matter and can be difficult to follow. The sentences are becoming increasingly severe and dealing with a case include an array of administrative license, evidentiary, sentencing, constitutional, and procedural affairs.

A general practitioner will do nothing or possibly even hurt your case because they are, more often than not, unqualified for such a particular field. The best Alaska DUI lawyer, on the other hand, can do many things to help improve your situation. A DUI lawyer could acquire measurements and maintenance records of the breath machine and have blood samples reanalyzed. They can also review the case for possible flaws, control evidence, debate reduced penalties and sentences, obtain expert witnesses for the case, contest the administrative license suspension, etc. In the end, getting an experienced Alaska DUI lawyer can be very beneficial to your case.

Can you tell me what an AV rated DUI lawyer is?

Jean

THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION, JEAN.

I’m very glad you asked this, because this is definitely a point of confusion for many people, as ratings can go either way, good or bad. Many companies and lawyers have a rating or an endorsement or accomplishment that they will tout in order to get customers or clients, and at times it is difficult to tell whether or not they are being given the thumbs up by the weirdo at the corner or by someone who should actually be listened to.

As for an AV rated Kenai AK lawyer, they are definitely being given the thumbs up by someone who should be listened to. AV ratings are determined by their fellows on the Alaska bar, not just by anybody, but by people who practice law and went to law school, so it’s coming from the right place.

Since these lawyers are often very good, it’s typical for them to charge more, which may put them out of your reach. If your case is pretty bad, though, you may want to take on that debt and work out a payment plan, though.

–Fashun.