After an arrest for DUI in Pennsylvania, you might not know how to defend yourself or protect your interests, especially if you’ve never faced the criminal justice system. Knowing what to expect after being charged with DUI can help you make informed decisions and pursue a favorable outcome in your case.
Remain Calm
 First, you should remember to remain calm after a DUI arrest. The shock of ending up in the back of a police cruiser, in a jail cell, or before a judge in a courtroom can make it challenging to understand your rights and evaluate your options. By remaining calm and treating police officers and court officials courteously and respectfully, you can prevent the situation from escalating and avoid jeopardizing your rights and options.
Understand and Exercise Your Rights
 After an arrest, you have several critical rights that can help you pursue a favorable resolution to your DUI charges. First, you have the right to remain silent, which means you do not have to answer any of the police officer’s questions about your alleged DUI, such as where you were coming from or how many drinks you consumed. Firmly but politely tell the police that you want to exercise your right to remain silent and will not answer any questions.
Second, you have the right to legal representation, including the right to consult an attorney before police questioning and to have your attorney present during any interrogation. Let the police officers know you want to speak with a lawyer.
Contact a DUI Defense Lawyer
 In exercising your right to legal representation, you can best protect your rights after an arrest by contacting a DUI defense attorney right away. A defense attorney can meet you at the police station or in jail to advise you of your rights during the initial stages of the criminal justice process. An attorney can also begin investigating your DUI charges to recover evidence and identify possible defense strategies.
Organize Evidence
 You and your attorney can begin gathering and organizing the evidence in your case, such as police reports, dashcam or bodycam footage, surveillance footage, and chemical test results. Your attorney can review the evidence to evaluate possible defenses you raise in your case, such as challenging the lawfulness of the traffic stop or the reliability of field sobriety or chemical test results.
Attend Court Dates
 Finally, you should appear for all scheduled court dates. If you miss a court date, the court may issue a bench warrant for your arrest to compel your appearance. If you cannot attend a scheduled court hearing due to illness, family emergency, etc., you should contact your attorney or the court as soon as possible.
Contact Chieppor & Egner, LLC, Today for Help After a DUI Arrest
 After a DUI arrest in Pennsylvania, you deserve experienced legal guidance to help you understand your rights and possible options for resolving your charges. Contact Chieppor & Egner, LLC, today for a confidential consultation to discover how our legal team will advocate for your interests to help you seek a favorable outcome to your DUI case.
