WHY HIRING A DUII ATTORNEY EARLY MATTERS IN OREGON
After being arrested for a DUII in Oregon, it can be tempting to wait until your first court date before talking to an attorney. In Oregon, however, important deadlines and legal issues can arise almost immediately. Speaking with a DUII defense attorney early gives you an opportunity to understand those deadlines, protect your rights, and begin making informed decisions before important evidence or opportunities are lost.
The DMV Deadline Can Come Quickly
A DUII arrest can result in a driver's license suspension through Oregon's Implied Consent Law, separate from the criminal DUII case. If you receive an implied consent suspension notice, you may have only a short period of time to request a hearing to challenge it. For a breath-test failure or a refusal of a breath, blood, or urine test, Oregon DMV currently requires the hearing request to be received by 11:59 p.m. on the tenth day following the arrest. Different deadlines apply in certain blood-test failure cases.
Because these deadlines can arrive before your first meaningful court appearance, contacting DUII Defense Attorney Jacob Braunstein promptly can help ensure that the DMV side of your case is not overlooked.
Evidence Should Be Investigated Early
Evidence in a DUII case can include police reports, body-camera footage, dash-camera recordings, witness statements, field sobriety testing, breath or blood testing, and other records. An attorney can begin identifying and reviewing potentially important evidence early in the case.
Early investigation can also help your attorney determine whether there are legal issues involving the traffic stop, arrest, field sobriety tests, chemical testing, or the procedures followed by law enforcement. The sooner these issues are identified, the more time your attorney has to investigate and develop an appropriate defense strategy.
Early Advice Can Help You Avoid Costly Mistakes
What you do after a DUII arrest can affect your case. You may receive questions from law enforcement, the DMV, your insurance company, or other parties. You may also have decisions to make about your driving privileges, court appearances, and potential DUII diversion. For example, Oregon DUII diversion has specific eligibility requirements and filing deadlines. Oregon courts explain that, in qualifying cases, a diversion petition generally must be filed within 30 days of the first appearance, unless the court allows additional time for good cause.
Having an attorney involved early allows you to understand your options before making decisions that could affect your case.
Don't Wait to Get Legal Advice
You do not need to have all the answers before contacting a DUII attorney. In fact, one of the most useful times to speak with an attorney is before you have to make important decisions.
If you have recently been arrested for DUII in Oregon, contacting an experienced DUII defense attorney as soon as possible can help you understand your deadlines, protect your rights, and make informed decisions about what comes next.
If you have recently been arrested or have an upcoming arraignment in Oregon, contact experienced DUII Defense Attorney Jacob Braunstein before your court date to discuss your case and your legal options. Consultations are always free.
Contact Jacob Braunstein at 503-505-0411 or jacob@braunsteinlaw.com