Common Mistakes Other DUI Lawyers Make
If you’ve been charged with DUI in Pittsburgh, you are probably facing the daunting task of hiring a DUI lawyer. These can be complicated cases that involve going to court, dealing with police officers, PennDOT hearings, and trying to keep your criminal and driving records clean. If possible, you should try to avoid some of the common mistakes that many DUI lawyers make.
Even lawyers in practice for years fall short when it comes to DUI cases. That’s why you should trust your DUI charge to a lawyer who focuses on DUIs in Pennsylvania. One who will fight for your rights with skill, knowledge, and determination.
The Pittsburgh DUI lawyers at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC know what it takes to fight a DUI case and take nothing for granted. If you’d like to schedule a free consultation, call us at (412) 281-2146 or fill out our online contact form today.
Assuming That Your Case Will Not Go to Trial
Throughout their careers, a DUI lawyer may see thousands of cases. While experience is invaluable, some lawyers will incorrectly assume that a case will not go to trial – the best option, in their opinion, will always be to accept a plea offer. This is problematic because the client should decide whether or not their case goes to trial, not the lawyer. By proceeding with the assumption that the case will not go to trial, the lawyer sacrifices valuable time that could be spent preparing your case.
At Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, we prepare your case for trial from the very first day. Prosecutors know that we’re willing to take the case to trial and provide our clients with an aggressive defense. This also allows us to recommend a plea agreement only if we believe it is fair and in your best interest, and not because we’re unprepared. This approach puts you in control of and lets you choose how we should proceed.
Not Challenging the Basis for Your Arrest
The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees your right to be free from unreasonable search or seizure. In the context of a DUI, the officer had to have probable cause to stop you and make an arrest. If you can show that the officer violated your constitutional rights, you may be able to get your entire case dismissed, regardless of your breathalyzer results or other problematic evidence.
Our DUI attorneys attack the very foundation of the prosecution’s case whenever possible. By showing that the officer may not have had the right to arrest you, you call the entire case into question. We fight to protect our clients’ rights, particularly those rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Taking Witness Statements and Other Evidence at Face Value
Another common mistake is to assume that the evidence is what it appears to be. Witnesses often report what they think they saw, not what they actually saw. There are also several ways that breathalyzer tests can result in false positives. Assuming that the evidence against you presents an accurate picture of what happened can be a grievous mistake.
Our Pittsburgh DUI lawyers carefully and thoroughly evaluate every piece of evidence against you and aggressively challenge the prosecution’s case. We believe that you can’t formulate an effective defense strategy until you have probed the evidence from every possible angle.
Failing to Keep You Informed
Many DUI lawyers and public defenders have heavy caseloads, which often results in spotty communication with their clients. Some assume that you don’t need or want to know about anything other than the “big picture” developments in your case. Whatever the reason, clients wind up not understanding what is going on with their case and then being forced to make an uninformed decision when the time comes. Unless they are acquitted or the charges are dismissed, the client winds up deeply dissatisfied with the outcome.
Communicating with our clients is one of our top priorities. We make sure that you are informed as to every development in your case. We want you to know exactly what is happening at every phase, so you always understand your options.
Facing DUI Charges? Contact Worgul, Sarna & Ness
For most people, even a first-time DUI conviction in Pennsylvania can cause major problems in their lives and cost thousands of dollars. If you’ve been charged with DUI, you need someone who will fight for your rights every step of the way. The Pittsburg DUI lawyers at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC have the knowledge and experience you need to get a fair result.
If you’d like to learn more about what makes us different and the clear option for you, contact us at (412) 281-2146 to schedule a free consultation.