Comments on: A friend got his 2nd DUI within 7 yrs, is it really necessary to get a lawyer or would it be a waste of money?

By: Shift

Shift — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:01:51 +0000

How’s the old saying go? He who represents himself has a fool for a client?

Despite what some MADD cultists above may have told you, it’s ALWAYS best to hire a skilled, experienced attorney to represent you when charged with any serious crime. The prosecutor is not on your side. The judge is not on your side. You NEED an advocate who is.

By: TedEx

TedEx — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:48:42 +0000

He can do one of the two things..
1. get an attorney, or
2. be prepared for the court to ram it up his ***.
California DUI second offense is 4-30 days in jail.Does he want the 4, or does he prefer the 30???
What can a lawyer do that you can’;t do on your own?? Stop you from making a complete fool out of yourself.

By: Gabriel

Gabriel — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:25:28 +0000

Yes. The attorneys have a relationship with the prosecutor that you don’t. They’ve also, hopefully, got a better handle on the laws so they might be able to find you a loophole. And finally, with an attorney, they know you’ll take it to trial if you have to, so your bargaining will have more leverage.

By: JMP

JMP — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 05:07:01 +0000

No you don’t need a lawyer. You are talking about a slap on the wrist. Tell your friend just show up pay the fines and everything will be fine. They already have overcrowded jails in Ca anyway.

By: irishmom91562

irishmom91562 — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 00:35:04 +0000

Well, here’s what you’re looking at: A remote possibility of challenging the accuracy of the method used to determine that this man was legally intoxicated at the time of the second DUI; trying to exclude the admission of the previous DUI from his driving abstract.

Judges don’t take too kindly to drunk driving defendants, especially those who don’t have a lawyer. Think “throw the book at them” and you’ll have the idea.

You need a lawyer who may or may not advise a not guilty plea. I would not advise that. Instead, I would advise a nolo contendere plea along with voluntary admission into an alcohol treatment program. This may mitigate the license suspension time, since a court respects honesty a lot more than it does an attempt to evade responsibility.

Your friend needs to accept responsibility for his actions and straighten his act out. The next time he’s behind the wheel after drinking could cost someone their life!!

By: Mutt

Mutt — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 21:54:57 +0000

He should not waste his money on a lawyer. If he didn’t learn the first time not to drink and drive, he deserves to be found guilty and, hopefully, spend some time in jail. All a lawyer will do is complicate the matter, and may even get him off, or the charges reduced.

By: michelob86

michelob86 — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 15:02:29 +0000

Keep your friend out of jail for a long time.

Someone who’s their own attorney has a fool for a client.