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If you’ve been charged with a DUI, you have a number of decisions to make. For example, you’ll need to consider whether to hire an attorney or go without one. You’ll need to decide whether to try to expunge your record, or deal with the consequences of the charges. First, you should get the facts straight.

1) A lawyer can be helpful, but you aren’t required to have one. If you’ve been charged with a DUI, it’s unlikely that an attorney can help you avoid the consequences. However, he or she can make the process less confusing, and explain the legalese to you.  An attorney can also appear in court for you and help you deal with the DMV.

2) A DUI felony is different from a misdemeanor. If it is your first DUI offense, it is most likely not a felony. However, the specific details vary from state to state, and depend on a number of factors. The courts will take your history, blood alcohol level, and a number of other factors into account.

3) In many states, you have ten days to request a DUI Administrative Per Se. If you want to keep your driver’s license, you need to go to the DMV for a hearing within ten days of your arrest. If you do not, the DMV will automatically suspend your license.

4) It may be possible to expunge your record. If you expunge your record, you won’t need to report your DUI to potential employers. Your DUI can severely impact your future employment opportunities, so expungement is an appealing option. An attorney can help you understand whether or not you’re a likely candidate, and help you present a convincing case for expungement.