What to Do if You Have a DUI:
How to Navigate Bail on a DUI
Driving under the influence (DUI) is considered a serious crime that can earn you a long jail term. After being arrested for a DUI offense, what follows is a court appearance. Depending on the case, various verdicts such as fines, a suspended license, probation, and even imprisonment will be imposed. Knowing what to do after being arrested due to DUI is key, as it can make a difference between getting a fine or going to jail. If you are arrested and need a bail bond, Connecticut Bail Bonds Group is available 24 hours with bail financing and easy payment plans. Below are things you can do after a DUI arrest and how to navigate the bail process.
Find an Attorney
There are instances where you believe you failed the sobriety test due to other circumstances such as anxiety and panic. This is also common in cases where the blood alcohol content (BAC) was high enough to be used as evidence by the convicting judge. An attorney can help build a defense in such instances.
Anything above 0.08 is considered high and could lead to denial of bail.
Take a Chemical Test
If you plan to plead not guilty, a chemical test could help your attorney argue the case. Chemical tests are an obligation after a DUI arrest, and the law requires you to take the test at the police station. Attorneys recommend you choose a breath test instead of a blood test. This may help your attorney defend you in court.
Court Appearance
You can't afford to miss a court appearance. A court session has two aspects; either you plead guilty where you await the court verdict or plead not guilty. In the latter, you may need some preparation from an attorney who guides or coaches you on what to say and what not to say. The process may also involve testimonies and witnesses who were around during the time of the arrest. After pleading not guilty, you may have to attend several court sessions depending on the severity of the case.
Get an SR-22 Insurance
If you are charged with DUI, you must get a special insurance policy before getting back on the road. You may be required by the law to carry the SR-22 insurance for up to three years. This policy also varies per state, with some charging double or triple the standard fine.
Follow up
After conviction, you need to follow up with any requirements drawn after hearing. These may include probation, classes, or paying a fine.
How to Navigate Bail on a DUI
After a DUI arrest, your first priority should be obtaining a bail bond or seek a recognizance release, otherwise known as no post bail. A recognizance or release does not require you to pay bail. However, it comes with a signed agreement and other conditions. For instance, you may be required to report or contact the court for updates and not travel outside a certain area of jurisdiction as long as the case is pending.
A bail bond is a set amount that you pay after arrest facilitating your release from custody. A bail is a financial guarantee that you will be attending the hearing in court, in which case the bail is refunded. However, if you fail to attend the court hearing, you get arrested and lose the amount paid as bail.
How Are Bail Bonds Determined?
A bail bond is determined based on various factors. These include your history with DUI cases and the seriousness of the offense committed. Other factors include your criminal record, employment history, and your ties with family and the community at large.
What to Do if You Can’t Afford a Bail Bond
If you can't afford to raise the bail, you need to call a bail bond dealer who will pay the full amount at a ten percent fee. However, depending on the bail amount, they may ask for collateral which acts as security. This could be jewelry, a house, or a car. If you skip the court hearing, they are responsible for the bond amount, and in that case, they may sell the collateral to recover their money.
The bail agent will walk you through the process, go to the correctional facility, and post the bail after filling and signing the necessary paperwork. You get released after this process, which takes less than an hour on average. After a court date is set, you are supposed to attend the hearing, and after your case is determined, the bond gets exonerated whether you are found guilty or not.
