Time again for DUI Friday brought to you by Manhattan, KS attorney. Last DUI Friday we talked about second and third DUIs and the different punishments for each. We also talked about the likelihood of a diversion for your DUI.
This week we'll talk a little about the courtroom process once you've been charged with DUI. In Manhattan Municipal Court, the first hearing you have is your initial appearance/arraignment. This is the hearing which is usually noted on your citation as your appearance date. A Riley County Police Officer who arrests you will usually circle the address of the Manhattan Municipal Court on the back of your citation. (the yellow ticket you receive after arrest).
If you hire an attorney to represent you, they can show up for you at your initial appearance because it is not a substantive hearing. If you decide you do want to show up, that's fine, but it's only about a 5 minute hearing where your attorney will either request a status, or a diversion hearing a few weeks down the line.
After your initial appearance, your attorney should file discovery requests with the prosecutor. This should include a request for video, sobriety test results, and any other officer notes taken during or after the arrest. After a lawyer has looked over this discovery, they should be able to give you sound advice as to whether diversion is the right choice for you. If the evidence appears in your favor, it might be a case which you want to fight.
To have a knowledgeable attorney at your disposal who will give you a candid, honest evaluation of your case, contact a Manhattan, KS attorney for free consultation. We are prepared to fight for your rights when you've been charged with a crime.
*every case is different and you should not base your decision to hire an attorney on an advertisement or blog entry alone.
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