Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
In part 1 of this article, we began examining the question “Do I need a Lawyer for this?” in a DUI Case. We looked at a few reasons why a person might really consider going it alone, and we examined a few risks to going into a DUI case unrepresented. In this 2nd part of the article, we’ll take a closer look at what a good, qualified DUI Lawyer brings to the table in a DUI case, and why not having that kind of help places someone at a distinct disadvantage. We left off examining the role of the PSI (Pre-Sentence Investigation) and the mandatory Alcohol Assessment and how the outcome of those processes essentially results in the “blue-print” for what’s going to happen to someone in a DUI Case.
If a person can have the help of a Lawyer who knows every facet of the PSI process, and fundamentally knows what specific information is being sought in an Alcohol Assessment Test, and how to score as low on it as possible, then what will happen to them in a DUI Case will be much better (meaning lenient), all other factors aside, than would be the case if they tried it alone.
The Alcohol Assessment Tests all focus on five “traits” or “markers” used in identifying an actual or potential alcohol problem:
1. Biological History,
2. Social Comment,
3. Memory Integrity,
4. Social Conflict, and
5. Effects Threshold.
Learning the meaning and application of these terms is the first step in preparing to produce a good (or low) score on whichever test is administered. And a good DUI Lawyer will have an active, working knowledge of these principles, and be in a position to teach the Client. Unfortunately, too few of those who style themselves as DUI Lawyers know the first thing about any of this. This should be a important consideration as someone “shops” around for a Lawyer.
In terms of “outcomes,” a person who is properly prepared (and in my Office, this takes about 2 hours) for an Alcohol Assessment Test will usually be able to score the lowest number of points possible. There will always be some points assessed, because one of the questions asked by any test is whether or not the person taking it has ever been Arrested for any Alcohol-Related Traffic Offense. You already know the answer to that one.
What’s more, some of the questions are “better” answered in a way that seems counter-intuitive. In other words, the answer that might first appear to be “common sense” may, in fact, add points to a person’s score. These tests are designed to diagnose either an actual or potential