Being charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) can happen at any time, and can have severe consequences for an individual's life going forward. If found guilty of operating while intoxicated, you may face steep fines, mandatory community service, or even time in jail. These can, in turn, negatively affect your employment status and financial health, not to mention your personal relationships. Instead of attempting to represent yourself when charged with OWI, consider contacting a lawyer who can argue on your behalf. Below are just three of the most important reasons why doing so can make all the difference.

Mitigate Additional Charges

You may be charged with OWI on the spot in the event that you fail a field sobriety test. It is important to note, however, that there are additional charges an arresting officer may include in their report. You may be charged with causing damage to the property of a third party, for example, or endangering the life of another person. These are charges that can compound the seriousness of the initial OWI charge and are cause enough to hire an OWI lawyer. An attorney can work to lessen the impact of these charges and possibly begin to form a plea bargain. Without one, it is extremely unlikely that the sentence associated with your charges will be reduced. 

Set Expectations

Even if you do not face additional charges, make no mistake, an OWI charge can be overwhelming on its own. If you are a first-time offender, then you are likely to find the process of defending yourself extraordinarily complicated. Fortunately, an attorney can help you navigate the bureaucratic aspects of the charge. Even more importantly, they can assist you in getting back your driving privileges as soon as possible. Attempting to go it alone in this regard may push back the entire timeline. 

​Argue Your Innocence

Mistakes in judgment do happen, and sometimes they are on the part of the arresting officer. If you are confident that your charge was made in error — a false positive result on a breathalyzer test is just one example of how this can happen — then an attorney will work to present evidence that can prove your innocence. While your innocence may seem obvious to you, it will definitely not be considered as such by the court; this is why legal counsel is absolutely imperative to have on your side in case of an OWI. 

For more information, contact a company like Cohen Law Offices, LLC.