Many first-time offenders are tempted to appear in court without representation. As first-time offenders, with no criminal records, they assume the hearing process will be simple and uncomplicated, and that no one is really routing for them to fail, and the circumstances of their arrest — often genuine oversight after after a party, or one final beer before driving home — seem innocent, nearly accidental.
Not everyone will be understanding.
Never assume the court system wants what’s best for the people who use it; the court system itself has no feelings at all. It is a system of arcane rules and behind-the-scenes ambitions playing out that do not necessarily have anything to do with the defendants, or their interests.
A DUI attorney will represent you. He or she will comb over the details of the arrest, searching for the smallest detail that may fall outside appropriate procedure — a mathematical error in an instrument reading, an unjustified stop by the police, a failure to follow protocol concerning the reading of your rights or the handling of your possessions. These details, not clearly visible to inexperienced defendants, can be the difference between no sentence at all and jail time.
In less extreme cases, a competent attorney can argue for reductions in fines, or hardship arrangements that may allow you to keep your license or drive to work when you would otherwise be seriously considering bicycling in January.
Courtrooms are venues requiring extremely rigid, careful protocols. There is a time to speak, and a manner of speaking that is acceptable, and none other will do. There is appropriate clothing, appropriate hair styles, and an appropriate manner to convey humility and regret before a judge. A careful attorney will coach you through the most minor detail of your appearance and behavior, helping you to present yourself of a citizen deserving of a second chance.
Never appear in court without someone by your side who knows the court system, knows the law, and knows how to advocate for you.
No one else will.