The last thing you expected today was an arrest for driving under the influence or impaired driving. Since this is the first (and hopefully last) time you’ve ever faced this sort of thing, it makes sense to seek the services of a Toronto impaired driving lawyer who can help you deal with the upcoming hearing. Why do you need a lawyer? Here are four good reasons.
Determining If There are Grounds for Fighting the Charges
The lawyer will want to know all there is to know about the circumstances surrounding the arrest. That includes what you were doing, who you were with, and how the law enforcement officers first approached you. The goal is to ensure that your rights were not violated at any time during the events leading up to the arrest.
Law enforcement do have specific rules and guidelines that they follow. If some essential protocol was not followed, that could serve as grounds to ask for a dismissal of the charges. If there are any grounds at all, your legal counsel will know what to do.
Understanding the Laws and Precedents That Apply in Your Case
Laws related to driving under the influence and impaired driving are more complex than many people realize. It takes someone who knows them well to figure out how those laws apply in your case. Along with the laws, there’s also the matter of apply legal precedents to the charges you’re facing.
While you would find it difficult to properly prepare for your hearing, a lawyer who practices in this area of the law will know how to identify laws and precedents that have some bearing on the case. That makes it all the easier to protect your rights while in the courtroom.
Experience in the Courtroom Matters
Outside of seeing trials on television or in movies, how much experience do you have with courtrooms? It may surprise you to learn that most of what you think you know is more fiction than fact. What you need right now is someone who can help you understand court procedure and proper decorum.
Along with defending you, the lawyer will explain what to do while the court is in session. You’ll understand how choosing to conduct yourself in a certain matter will make things easier and maybe even help your situation a little.
Preparing Yourself for Potential Outcomes
Based on the particulars of your case, the outcome could go more than one way. Your lawyer won’t pull any punches when it comes to helping you be aware of all the different decisions that the court could make. Some of them will be based on your past record, assuming there is one.
The goal is to ensure that you have reasonable expectations when you enter the courtroom. While your legal counsel will work for the best possible decision, be aware that the court may or may not agree with your lawyer. By being aware of what could happen, you can prepare for most scenarios.
The bottom line is that you don’t want to enter the court without a lawyer by your side. As soon as possible, secure legal services and begin preparing the defense. In the long run, you’ll be glad that you did.
