DUI Blog

Monsoon season is underway in usually sunny Tucson.  The “Stupid Motorist” law is a traffic law passed in the late 1990s in order to discourage drivers from attempting to cross flooded roadways during this rainy season, and it is fully in effect this summer.  But attempting to transform their car into a boat may not be the only thing slowing motorists down this summer.  For those who choose to drink and get behind the wheel, dark skies may last well beyond monsoon season.

Drunk driving is a serious crime in the state of Arizona.  Local law enforcement agencies are dedicated to making their streets a safe place and to that end they are routinely increasing patrols and sobriety checkpoints.

If you have been arrested for a drunk driving offense in the Tucson area, the worst thing you can do is the underestimate the gravity of your situation.  You have been charged with a significant crime and the penalties for this crime are severe and will impact your life and the lives of your family members for a long time to come.  You need to take immediate action to ensure that your rights are protected and your privileges are maintained.

Your first step should be to contact an experienced DUI attorney to assist you in handling your case.  There are 3 different charges for a DUI in the state of Arizona.  A simple DUI indicates that you were found to be driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both, or that your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .08% or greater.  This is a misdemeanor charge.

If your BAC was .15% or greater, you may be charged with Extreme DUI and if your BAC was .20% or greater, you may be charged with Super Extreme DUI.  Both of these are felony charges.  If you had a child under the age of 15 with you at the time of your arrest or if you have prior DUI convictions, you may be charged with Aggravated DUI, which is also a felony.

For a simple DUI first offense, you may expect fines and fees of at least $1250, at least 10 days incarceration, potential community restitution, and the installation of an ignition interlock device as consequences for a conviction.

If the crime increases to a felony due to a high BAC or other extenuating circumstances, all penalties will increase in severity.

A conviction for an Aggravated DUI includes a potential 3 year driver’s license suspension.  This is in addition to any suspension of your license that may occur as a result of your refusal to submit to a chemical test to determine your BAC.

The legal processes involved in a DUI defense are numerous and will leave a layperson confused and overwhelmed.  Take action today to ensure the best possible outcome in your case by contacting a qualified DUI lawyer.

There is plenty to do during the summer in Salt Lake City.  From hiking to rock climbing, boating, and just hanging out by the pool, both residents and visitors are enjoying the longer days and warmer weather.  But for those who choose to mix drinking and driving with their summer fun, the fall may be coming sooner than expected and it may be a fall from grace rather than simply a change in the season.

Drunk driving is a serious crime in the state of Utah, and it is one that both legislators and law enforcement agencies are determined to eliminate.  As a result, there are more police patrols and sobriety checkpoints than ever before and the penalties for those who are convicted of driving under the influence are severe.

If you have been arrested for a drunk driving crime in the Salt Lake City/Ogden area, the worst thing you can do is to doubt the gravity of your situation.  You need to take immediate action to ensure the most positive outcome in your case.  Your first step should be to contact an experienced DUI attorney to assist you in making decisions for your case.

The legal limit for intoxication in the state of Utah is a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08%.  The penalties for a first time DUI conviction in Utah include fines, a jail sentence, mandatory participation in an alcohol education class, and a required alcohol problem assessment.  The minimum fine in these cases is $700, but fines can be as high as $1850.

The jail time required is between 48 hours and 6 months with 48 hours being mandatory.  However, community service of 48 hours or 48 hours of electronically-monitored home confinement may be substituted for the jail sentence.

A driver convicted of a first offense DUI will also face the suspension of his or her license for a period of 90 days.  The alcohol education class that is required for those convicted of DUI is titled “Prime for Life” and the expenses associated with this class will be the responsibility of the driver.

Those drivers whose BAC was more than .16% will also be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicles.  The IID requires that the driver provide a breath sample to prove that they are not under the influence of alcohol before they will be able to start the car.  This device will be installed at the driver’s expense.

Even after the driver’s license suspension is over, they will be required to have a “no alcohol” constraint placed on their license for the following 2 years.  This condition stipulates that there is to be no alcohol in the driver’s system any time they are driving.

The penalties associated with a DUI conviction will have a devastating impact on both the driver’s time and finances.  Take action today to ensure that your rights are protected and your privileges are preserved.  Contact a DUI lawyer today.

The Las Vegas Strip is synonymous with its miles of glowing neon lights, but if you drink and drive in Sin City, the lights you will see will be red, blue and attached a police cruiser.  Despite its reputation as an entertainment destination and its atypical open container laws that allow visitors to carry open alcoholic beverages up and down the Strip, drunk driving remains a serious crime in the city of Las Vegas.

If you have been arrested for a drunk driving crime in the Las Vegas area, you need to take immediate action to ensure that your rights are protected and your privileges are preserved.  The laws related to a drunk driving charge are complex and are in a constant state of change as legislators continue to take a tough stance on drunk driving.  As a result of all of these changes, developing a defense in a DUI case is difficult for the average layperson.  You need an experienced DUI attorney to assist you with this process.

These dedicated legal professionals have seen numerous cases just like yours and are constantly studying the changes that are taking place in the legal arena for drunk driving issues.  They will be able to quickly review your case and recommend the best actions specifically for you.  But time is not on your side.  You need to act quickly in order to protect your driving privileges.

At the time of your arrest, you were asked to provide a blood or breath sample in order to determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC).  The legal limit for intoxication in the state of Nevada, as in most states, is .08%.  If you had a BAC of .08% or greater, or if you refused to submit to this chemical test, your license was automatically suspended for between 90 days and several years depending on the other factors in your case.  You may file an appeal to this license suspension, but you must do so within 7 days of your arrest.  This license suspension is separate from any action taken against your driver’s license in the event that you are convicted of the DUI charge against you.

You do have the opportunity to apply for a restricted driver’s license, but you must pass a waiting period and these licenses are granted at the discretion of the judge.

If you are convicted of a first offense DUI in Nevada, the penalties are severe.  You will be required to pay at least $400 in fines and fees, complete alcohol classes at a Nevada DUI school, attend a Victims Impact Panel class, and either spend 2 days in jail or perform between 48 and 96 hours of community service.  Additionally, you will be on probation and your license will be suspended for 90 days.

These penalties all increase in severity for subsequent DUI convictions and a conviction in a 3^rd time offense is a felony.

All of these penalties will have a dramatic impact on both you and your family for many years to come.   This is not a situation you should handle alone.  The risks are too great. Contact a reputable DUI lawyer today.

It’s been another hot summer in the Phoenix/Mesa area.  Residents and visitors continue to be willing to try anything to keep their cool.  But those who attempt to cool off by mixing frosty alcoholic beverages and then driving will find themselves facing heat of a different kind.

Drunk driving is a serious crime in the state of Arizona.  Lawmakers are constantly reviewing the laws regarding drunk driving, with an eye on creating harsher penalties and therefore reducing repeat offenders.  If you have been arrested for a drunk driving offense in the Phoenix/Mesa area, you need to take immediate action to ensure that your driving privileges are protected.

The legal procedures involved in developing a DUI defense are numerous and time-consuming.  Your best response is to seek the assistance of a qualified DUI attorney.

At the time of your arrest you were asked to submit to a chemical test in order to determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) by providing a blood or breath sample.  If you refused to provide this sample or if your BAC was greater than the legal limit of .08%, your driver’s license was automatically suspended for up to 2 years.  You have the right to appeal this suspension, but time is not on your side.  You only have 15 days in which to challenge the suspension of your license.

If you are convicted of the DUI charge against you, there are severe penalties that can be assessed.  For a first time DUI conviction the driver is likely to be charged fines and fees of up to $1250, be required to perform community restitution, face imprisonment for up to 10 days, and be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on their vehicle. The IID requires that the driver provide a breath sample to prove that they are within an approved limit of BAC before they are able to start their car.

The degree of a DUI charge may be increased if there are extenuating circumstances related to the case.  A driver with a BAC of .15% or greater can be charged with Extreme DUI, while a driver with a BAC of .20% or greater may be charged with Super Extreme DUI.

Drivers who have a child under the age of 15 in the car with them at the time of their arrest and those that have prior DUI convictions may be charged with Aggravated DUI, which is a felony.  Penalties and consequences increase as the case’s degree intensifies.

As you can see, the penalties for a DUI conviction are severe.  This is not a situation you will want to handle alone.  Contact an experienced DUI lawyer today to discuss your case.

Seattle is a city fueled by coffee with several well-known coffee companies founded and headquartered in this area.  In the last century, Seattle had an extensive system of railways and streetcars, but as the city grew outward, the automobile became the predominant mode of transportation and the city became on of the most congested in the nation.  Those who forego the many coffee options available locally for something stronger and then take to the congested roadways will find themselves frustrated by more than just traffic.

Drunk driving is a serious offense in the state of Washington.  If you have been arrested for a drunk driving offense in the Seattle/Bellevue/Everett area, you need to act quickly to ensure the best outcome in your case.  The laws associated with a drunk driving case are complicated and developing a defense in these cases is a time consuming effort.  Most laypersons will find themselves overwhelmed and frustrated.  You need to consult a professional to assist you with this difficult situation.

An experienced DUI attorney has seen hundreds of cases just like yours and will be able to quickly assess your case and recommend the right course of action for you specifically.  At the time of your arrest you were asked to provide a blood, breath or urine sample in order to determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC).  The legal level for intoxication in the state of Washington is a BAC of .08% or greater.

If you refused to submit to this chemical test or if the test indicated that your BAC was .08% or greater, your driver’s license was suspended for between 90 days and 2 years.  You have the right to appeal this suspension but you must act quickly.  You must request a hearing to appeal the suspension within 20 days of your arrest.  This request must be completed in writing and can be submitted by mail or online.  There is a $200 fee to request this hearing.

Some drivers choose to waive their right to challenge the suspension of their license.  Instead they agree to apply for a Washington State Ignition Interlock License.  Drivers who hold this license are required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in all of their vehicles.  The IID requires that the driver provide a breath sample to prove that they are not intoxicated before they will be able to start their car.

The license suspension and IID requirement are separate from an impact on your license that may result from a DUI conviction.  The penalties for a DUI conviction in the state of Washington are severe even if the DUI is a first offense.  Fines can be as high as $5000 and the driver may be required to serve jail time of up to 1 year.

At least 24 hours of the jail sentence are mandatory.  However, jail time may be replaced with an electronic detention sentence of at least 15 days.

All of the consequences of a DUI conviction will have a significant impact on both the driver and their family.  This is not a situation you should attempt to handle alone.  Contact a reputable DUI lawyer today.

Summer fun is plentiful in the Tampa Bay area cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater.  The weather is warmer, the days are longer and residents and visitors alike are enjoying the beaches and outdoor activities.  But summer celebrations may come to a quick end for anyone caught drinking and driving this summer.  Drunk driving is a serious crime in Florida, and one that should not be taken lightly by anyone accused of it.

If you have been arrested for a drunk driving offense in the Greater Tampa Bay area, it is imperative that you take action immediately.  Your best response is to hire an experienced DUI attorney to handle your case.  Laws concerning DUI offenses are complicated and will require significant time and effort for a layperson to decipher and formulate an appropriate response.

At the time of your arrest your license was suspended.  This suspension may last anywhere from 6 months to 1 year depending on whether this is your first offense or a subsequent offense.  You should also have received a temporary permit at the time of your arrest.  This permit will be in effect for 10 days following your arrest.  During this time, you have the opportunity to file a challenge to the suspension of your license.

Your arrest and the suspension of your license was most likely based on your results on a chemical test, that is a breath or blood sample taken at the time of your arrest indicated that you had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or greater.  If you refused to submit to a chemical test, you license will automatically be suspended for 1 year if this is your first offense and 18 months if this is a consecutive offense.

You do have an opportunity to apply for a hardship license if you are able to prove that it is necessary for you to drive for business or employment purposes.  If you failed a chemical test, you must complete 30 days of your license suspension before becoming eligible for a hardship license.  If you refused to submit to a chemical test, however, you will have to serve 90 days of the license suspension before being eligible for a hardship license.

You will also be required to demonstrate your enrollment in an approved DUI course before your hardship license can be granted.  There will also be fees associated with both the hardship license and the reinstatement of your license after the suspension is complete.

If you have been convicted of DUI two or more times in Florida, you will not be eligible for a hardship license at all.  Additionally, if you have refused to submit to a chemical test 2 or more times, you will not be eligible for a hardship license.  Obviously, the laws related to DUI in Florida are complex and making sure you formulate an appropriate and timely response can be time-consuming.  To ensure that your driving privileges are preserved, you should seek the advice of a qualified DUI lawyer as soon as possible.

Summer is in full swing in sunny Fort Lauderdale.  Residents as well as visitors are enjoying the warm weather and longer days with sailing and sunbathing.  But the sun may set all too soon on these fun times for those caught drinking and driving.

Drunk driving is a serious offense in the state of Florida and the penalties associated with it are life altering for both the driver and their family.  If you have been arrested for drunk driving in the Fort Lauderdale area, there is no time to waste.  It is very important that you speak with a qualified DUI attorney as soon as possible after your arrest.

The laws governing DUI in Florida are complicated and there are numerous legal filings involved in these cases.  Additionally, once you have been arrested the clock is ticking on your driving privileges.

At the time of your arrest, your driver’s license was suspended automatically.  This suspension is effective for between 6 months and 1 year, depending on the circumstances of your case.  You will only have 10 days following your arrest in which to contest this suspension.  If you do not or if your appeal is denied, you will have to serve at least a portion of the suspension before you can even apply for a hardship license.

A hardship license will allow you to drive under certain circumstances if you can show that this is necessary.  These circumstances are most often related to employment and business purposes.

If you failed a chemical test used to determine your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of your arrest, you will have to serve at least 30 days of your suspension before being allowed to apply for a hardship license.  However, if you refused to take a chemical test at all, you will be required to serve 90 days of your license suspension before being able to apply for the hardship license.  You will also be required to show proof of your enrollment in an approved alcohol treatment course in order to apply for the hardship license.

Additional licensing fees will also be associated with your hardship license and the reinstatement of your license after the suspension is completed.  You will also be required to complete the licensing examination and provide proof of insurance.

As you can see, retaining your driver’s license after a DUI arrest is a difficult and complicated process.  A legal professional who has seen numerous cases just like yours is the best candidate to help you through this difficult time.  Do not delay; consult an experienced DUI lawyer today.

Orlando may be best known as the home to a magical mouse, but if you are caught drinking and driving you may go from “Bibbiti-Bobbiti-Boo” to “Boo Hoo Hoo”.

Drunk driving is a serious crime in the state of Florida and its consequences can be life-altering for both the convicted driver and their family.  If you have been arrested for a drunk driving offense in the Orlando area, you should take quick and decisive action by consulting an experienced DUI attorney.

The laws related to DUI in Florida are complicated and the procedures related to it are in a constant state of change.  By hiring a legal professional who specializes in DUI law, you can ensure that you are partnered with someone who is familiar with the most recent legislation and can best advise you on what you need to do to ensure the best outcome for your unique situation.

When you were arrested for DUI, your driver’s license was immediately suspended.  You have 10 days from the date of your arrest in which to file an appeal to this suspension.  It is important that you meet this deadline, because if you do not you will forfeit your opportunity to contest the suspension of your driving privileged.  Your driver’s license will be suspended for between 6 months and 1 year, depending on the circumstances of your case and your previous driving record.  You will have an opportunity to apply for a hardship license, but you must serve at least a portion of this suspension before you may even apply for a hardship license.  The length of time that must be served before applying for a hardship license will depend on a number of factors, the greatest of which is the status of the chemical test that was offered to you at the time of your arrest.

The chemical test is the collection of a breath or blood sample to determine the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream.  The legal level for intoxication in the state of Florida is a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08%.  If you had a BAC of greater than .08 at the time of your arrest, your license will be suspended for a minimum of 30 days before you may apply for a hardship license.  However, if you refused to submit to the chemical test at all, your license will be suspended for a minimum of 90 days before you can apply for a hardship license.

Hardship license requests are granted primarily to enable drivers to get to and from their place of employment as well as complete any travel they require for business purposes.  If your request for a hardship license is granted, you will be required to show proof of your enrollment in an approved alcohol treatment program as well as pay additional fees for the license.

Getting your driver’s license back after a DUI arrest is a long and arduous process.  To ensure that you are fulfilling all of the requirements, you should secure the services of a reputable DUI lawyer to walk you through this process.

Summer fun is in the air in sunny Sarasota.  Residents are enjoying the warm weather and the longer days with boating and beach parties.  But if you mix drinking and driving, you may find your summer fun coming to a quick end.  If you have been arrested for a drunk driving offense in the Sarasota/Bradenton area, you need to take quick action to ensure that your driving privileges are protected.

Drunk driving is a serious offense in the state of Florida and the penalties for it can have a devastating impact on both your life and the lives of your family members.  Additionally, the laws related to DUI offenses are complicated and constantly changing.  You need a qualified legal professional to guide you through this complex process. It is important that you look for an attorney who specializes in DUI to ensure that they are the most knowledgeable regarding the current legislation related to DUI.

There are actually two separate legal cases related to a DUI in Florida.  The first is the administrative license suspension.  This is a separate case that relates only to your driver’s license.  At the time of your arrest, your driver’s license was automatically suspended for between 6 month and 1 year.  The duration of this suspension will depend on your driving record and the unique circumstances of your case.  The second case that is pending against you if you have been arrested for DUI is a criminal case.  This case is based on the results of the chemical test taken to determine your blood alcohol content at the time of your arrest.  The chemical test measures the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream based on a sample of your breath or blood.  The legal limit for intoxication in the state of Florida is .08% or greater.  You have the right to refuse the chemical test, but your license may still be suspended and there will still be a DUI case filed against you.

Penalties for a DUI conviction include fines, required alcohol treatment, community service, vehicle impoundment, and potentially jail time.  These penalties will increase in severity with each subsequent DUI conviction.  The fine associated with a first time DUI conviction with no extenuating circumstances is $500, but if the DUI conviction is a second or greater DUI offense the fine will increase up to $5000.  More severe penalties will also be assessed if there was a child under 18 in the car at the time of the arrest or if the driver had a BAC of .15 or greater.

As you can see, a DUI conviction can have a life-changing effect.  These cases should not be taken lightly.  To ensure that every effort is made in your DUI case, you should seek the professional counsel of an experience DUI lawyer without delay.

Music City, U.S.A. is singing a happy tune this summer.  There are plenty of parties and festivals to allow residents and visitors to enjoy the longer days and warmer weather that the season brings.  But for those who are caught mixing drinking and driving, the tempo is about to change.

Drunk driving is a serious crime in the state of Tennessee.  This charge is governed by a complex set of laws and its penalties are becoming more severe year after year.  This is not a situation that should be handled alone.

If you have been arrested for DUI in the Nashville area, you should secure the services of an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible.  By choosing a legal professional who specializes in DUI cases, you can ensure that all of the unique circumstances of your situation are being considered.

At the time of your arrest, officers requested that you complete a chemical test by providing a breathe or blood sample to determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC).  The legal limit for intoxication in the state of Tennessee is .08% or greater.  You had the right to refuse to submit to this test, but if you did, your license will be suspended for 1-2 years depending on the other factors in your case.  This automatic suspension is the result of the Tennessee implied consent laws, which state that any person operating a motor vehicle in the state has already given their consent for tests that determine their blood alcohol content.

You may also lose your license if you are convicted of the DUI charge.  This license suspension will be considered completely separately from the suspension based on a refusal to submit to a chemical test.  If your license is suspended, you will have the option to apply for a restricted license.  The privileges offered by the restricted license will differ depending on why your license was revoked.  You will receive more privileges if your restricted license is the result of a DUI conviction rather than the result of a refusal to submit to a chemical test.

Penalties for a first time DUI offense include fines of at least $350, a 1 year license revocation, required participation in DUI school, and at least 48 hours spent in jail.

The minimum jail time will increase to 7 days if your BAC is .20 or greater.  You may also be ordered to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.  This device will require a breathe sample in order to ensure that you are not legally intoxicated before you are able to start your vehicle.

All of these penalties will have a dramatic impact on your lifestyle and that of your family.  Contact a reputable DUI lawyer today to review your case and recommend the best action.