More details to this question:
How would I go about doing that?
I don't think I can afford a lawyer because I heard they run around $5,000 and sometimes more.
I just need to show that I wasn't drunk and that the cop arrested me because I am dating his ex girlfriend.
There was no breathalyzer test or blood test so I think it's an open and shut case.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
12 ANSWERS
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Oakland, CA
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Kapsack & Bair, LLP
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If this is an open and shut case, why are you looking for help? A DUI lawyer brings a tremendous amount of skill and dedication to helping people in your situation, and may not cost as much as you think. The fee is commiserate with the level of experience and the results you are expecting. If the facts of your case are as described, you didn't provide a sample of your blood or breath AND you aren't being charged with a refusal then you should expect a good outcome. If, on the other hand, you refused to provide a chemical test AND you are dating the arresting officer's ex-girlfriend and he's not pleased, you can expect things to go poorly. A quality DUI defense attorney can likely help you with this situation.
Answered on Mar 27th, 2013 at 2:24 PM
Michael J. Breczinski
Yes you can represent yourself.? It is legal.? It is also legal for you to take out your own appendix with a Swiss Army Knife and no anesthetic. Both are equally painless and foolproof.
Answered on Mar 27th, 2013 at 1:25 AM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Alhambra, CA
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Francis John Cowhig
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If you do not know the answer to your first 2 questions, then you should not be representing yourself. If you cannot afford an attorney, ask the court to appoint a public defender to represent you.
Answered on Mar 27th, 2013 at 12:21 AM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Brighton, MI
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The Law Office of Steven M. Dodge, PLLC
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You certainly can try to represent yourself but I would not recommend it. It is in your best interests to have someone provide you with a professional evaluation of how your case looks. In the absence of having that, you might be walking into a fight that you cannot win.
Also, most attorneys do not charge nearly that much for an OWI.
Answered on Mar 26th, 2013 at 1:26 PM
5K for a first DUI is way too expensive. Give me a call, and do it soon before the DMV takes action against your license.
Answered on Mar 26th, 2013 at 1:26 PM
Personal Injury Attorney serving Covington, KY
Partner at
Law Offices of Christopher L. Jackson, LLC
2 Awards
You can represent yourself but I don't recommend it. My office would charge less than that - if you call around you can probably find a few lawyers to help you for less.
Answered on Mar 26th, 2013 at 1:25 PM
First of all, there is no open and shut case.
You are allowed to represent yourself in criminal court. But doing so is a very bad idea.
The prosecution can convict you without a BAC reading. They can use evidence such as your manner of driving, walking, and speaking. As to the $5,000, I offer flat fees to my clients on drunk driving that are much less than that amount.
I am not sure where you are, but I think you can find someone who will do it for less than $5,000. If you are anywhere within a couple hours of Lansing, call me for a free consultation.
Answered on Mar 26th, 2013 at 1:24 PM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Syracuse, NY
Partner at
Christopher & McQuillan, LLP
Unfortunately, DWI cases are never straightforward, and the absence of a blood or breath test does not mean the case is over.
You can still be charge with a DWI without any BAC test being conducted under the common law.
To present your defense you should absolutely seek out an attorney to assist you. Good luck.
Answered on Mar 26th, 2013 at 1:24 PM
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If you cannot afford a lawyer, you can ask the judge if you qualify for a public defender. Even if you do not qualify, it does not hurt to ask.
As for a lawyer, many are less expensive than $5,000, and I have never charged that much.
You are always allowed to represent yourself in a criminal case, but telling you how to do it in a short message would be impossible.
Answered on Mar 26th, 2013 at 1:24 PM
Representing yourself is typically not a good idea. You will be up against a government attorney who went to law school, passed the bar exam, and has conducted DUI prosecutions and trials.
In addition, if you attempt to "explain" that you were not drunk- won't matter in Colorado. The standard for DUI is not that you were "drunk" but that you were impaired by either alcohol, drugs or both.
There is a variety of ways that the government will try to prove this in court. If you are not familiar with the science behind both BAC evidence and field sobriety tests, you may not be effective at arguing your case.
If the government can't prove the case or you believe you have a defense to the charges- you cannot afford NOT to retain an attorney.
The consequences of a conviction are sever and your freedoms are at stake. Consult with some local DUI attorneys, but do expect to be charged a reasonable amount for what your attorney is doing for you- defending you in this action.
You can ask the attorney if they are willing to accept a payment plan to help defer the costs.
Answered on Mar 26th, 2013 at 1:22 PM
Estate Planning Attorney serving Provo, UT
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Randy M. Lish, Attorney at Law
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Of course you can, but I would recommend getting an attorney. The consequences are severe.
Answered on Mar 26th, 2013 at 11:40 AM
Criminal Law Attorney serving Beverly Hills, CA
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Margolin & Lawrence Attorneys at Law
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Get the PD.
Answered on Mar 26th, 2013 at 11:40 AM