If you've been arrested for driving under the influence, you very likely will need to speak to a defense attorney to help you get bail and to work on your case. These charges are very serious and being found guilty can lead to massive fines, the loss of your driver's license, having to surrender your car and even time in jail. It will all come down to your day in court when you appear before a judge to plead your case and be sentenced. You can prepare yourself for a better chance of success if you know what to expect ahead of time, so read on for more information on acing your DUI court appearance:

See how it's done: You may be surprised what you can learn from viewing online videos of other similar court cases. Using YouTube or the like, search for DUI courtroom appearances and pay special attention to those that take place in your particular state. This will give you a general idea of how things run and what might be expected of you when it's your turn to state your case.

Practice makes perfect: You can glean a great deal from your criminal defense attorney and their legal team, and some of that support could come in the form of a courtroom practice session. Since most of these appearances are relatively similar, your attorney may be able to predict what questions you will be asked. As a bonus, once you have a court date on the court calendar and know who your judge will be, your attorney can give you some tips on how that particular judge runs their courtroom and what makes them happy or angry when it comes to defendants.

Your appearance at your appearance: First impressions do count, so wear your best clothing the day of your court appearance. While it's not necessary to run out and purchase an expensive suit or outfit, you should be conservative, clean, well-pressed and appropriate-looking for your big day. Leave behind graphic tees, exercise wear, revealing clothing, and leave all head wear off (unless your wear it for religious purposes).

Speak when spoken to: Many defendants get off to the wrong start altogether when they address the judge. There may be some local rules that you can ask your attorney about, but in general, you can't go wrong by prefacing or ending every sentence with "judge" or "your honor". Keep your voice loud and clear, since you are being recorded and be sure to look at the judge when speaking to them.

Contact a local DUI attorney for more information and assistance.