During the holidays, DUI arrests tend to increase. If you were one of the unlucky ones on the receiving end of a DUI charge, it’s important to deal with the situation proactively rather than putting it off.

The clock is ticking

Once you have been arrested for DUI, you have only 10 days to request an administrative hearing. This hearing is not part of the criminal process, but rather a hearing that may allow you to keep your license from being suspended. Making this request within 10 days of your arrest will ensure that your license will not be suspended between the time of your arrest and your hearing. If you do not request that hearing in the 10-day window, however, your license will automatically be suspended after 30 days, at which point reinstating it becomes more costly and complicated.

Contact an attorney

If you are dealing with a DUI, it is understandable that you may just want it to “go away” as quickly as possible. But having an attorney on your side to look into the details of your case can help to reduce the consequences you face. For example, an attorney may be able to get the charges downgraded from DUI to reckless driving. This can make a big difference, not just for your immediate situation, but also in the case that you ever get pulled over again.

The holidays may be over, but life goes on. Contacting an attorney right away after a DUI charge can help ensure that your life goes on as smoothly as possible.