When you think of a DUI lawyer, what comes to mind? Most people conjure up images of slimy, greedy businessmen who profit by getting people off the hook for their bad behavior… who happen to have a law degree. This caricature is a far cry from the truth, at least at Gold & Witham. While we cannot speak for other DUI attorneys, we wanted to come out and explain why we do what we do.
Drinking and driving is against the law. That is a point that is not up for debate. Also not up for debate is the fact that drinking and driving is impairing, and puts the driver and others on the road at risk. Every year, more than 10,000 people die in drunk driving crashes, and thousands more are injured. We have seen firsthand the devastating effects drunk driving can have on individuals and families.
At the same time, drunk driving is a reality. While the facts are undeniable, people still do it. Whether out of pure negligence or an underestimation of the effects of alcohol, hundreds of people are arrested for DUI in Los Angeles County every year.
When people come to us after their DUI arrest, contrary to popular belief, our goal isn't to get them off a hook so we can make a quick buck. Our goal is rehabilitation. As much as we enjoy working with our clients, we hope we never have to work with them again.
Our approach is multi-faceted, but each phase focuses on avoiding recidivism. One thing we encourage our clients to do is enroll in alcoholics anonymous right off the bat. This has a twofold benefit – it helps our clients understand the consequences of excessive drinking and also shows the judge that they are committed to getting better.
We also encourage our clients to wear a SCRAM (ankle bracelet). Usually, this is something that DUI offenders aren't required to wear until after they are convicted as a part of their sentence. These ankle bracelets monitor the wearer's alcohol consumption, testing every 30 minutes to create accountability.
Going above and beyond, we also ask that our clients participate in some form of community service. Drinking and driving is a danger not only to the driver, but also to the community at large. Our clients made a mistake, and nothing can take that away, but we believe that doing volunteer work helps our clients focus on others, rather than on themselves and their situation.
This approach isn't easy, and it turns many of our potential clients away, but it's what we believe in. If you are still not convinced, we highly recommend looking over some of our reviews from past clients. Most of them will tell you the same – that our approach is not easy, but it's worthwhile.