My lawyer said that he will take care of the Court appearance and the DMV hearing. I want to do something that will help my case. Is there anything that I can do?

Yes. Go to some A.A. meetings. If you are serious about wanting to do something to help out your case, go to 2 or 3 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings a week until your case is resolved.

What good will that do?

Two things:

1. D.A.'s and Judges in Placer County are generally favorably impressed By someone who has taken it upon himself to go to A.A. If your case is resolved By way of a plea bargain, A.A. can improve your lawyer's negotiating position. The reality of going to trial is that you must be prepared to lose and face sentencing; there again regular attendance at A.A. can improve your lawyer's sentence bargaining position. If you go to trial and win, you will have lost nothing and have gained a bit of insight, which brings me to point two.

2. You may gain some insight into your reasons for drinking and get some support for yourself during this stressful time. Being arrested and accused of a serious criminal offense is stressful, even if you are innocent and have a good lawyer. You do not have to face this stress alone. At A.A. you will find others who have been through this experience and understand much of what you are going through.

I'm not an alcoholic--why should I go to A.A.?

You don't have to go forever, just until the case is resolved. Remember we are fighting this case on two fronts: Your lawyer is combing through police reports and court documents to find out what is wrong about the case, and you are doing everything possible to profile yourself positively.

I haven't had a drink since the arrest and I don't intend to start again. Why should I go to A.A.?

It is important to get some support for your decision not to drink. Drinking is very much a part of the American culture, and has been since Colonial times. There are constant social pressures to drink; radio, TV billboards, well meaning friends. Resisting these pressures alone is virtually impossible.

If I go to an A.A. meeting isn't that just admitting that I'm guilty?

No. Your guilt or innocence is a legal and factual question that may or may not be proven By admissible evidence in court. The question in Court is whether the Placer County D.A. can prove that you were driving under the influence at a particular time in the past. Going to A.A. meetings has nothing to do with the facts of the case. A.A. attendance can, however, help your lawyer negotiate more effectively with respect to sentencing.

Please feel free to contact our office at 800.978.0186 or info@placercountyduiattorney.com for answers to any questions you may have about DUI charges or arrests.