DWI Arrests - YOUR DWI Lawyer Can Help

You are probably feeling extremely nervous, stressed and frightened after your drunk-driving arrest, whether this is your first incident or one of many. You must know what steps to take to protect yourself, your loved ones and your property. It is imperative that the DWI lawyer you hire be one that is highly trained in the specialized field of DWI defense. All criminal defense lawyers are not DUI/DWI criminal lawyers! Being arrested for drunk driving constitutes a serious infraction of the law, with corresponding serious and complex consequences. Your DWI lawyer will explain road testing (breathalyzer and physical field sobriety testing) and chemical tests (blood tests and urinalysis). Your DWI defense lawyer will also take you through all pre-trial, trial and sentencing actions that may apply to your specific case.

DWI Investigations

All cases of DWI/DUI arrests require investigations, which a trained DWI attorney will do. Always keep in mind that the prosecution bears the burden of proof, beyond a reasonable doubt!

Prosecutors will always use four different aspects to try to prove their case:
1. Driving pattern
2. Physical appearance of driver
3. Field sobriety test results
4. Chemical test results

DUI attorneys are trained to find ‘loop-holes’ in the above situations that can get charges against you dismissed or decreased. Even if it is determined that you were legally intoxicated, an experienced lawyer will be able to help you.

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, your DWI lawyer will also send a request to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to request a hearing on your behalf. Failure to do so in a timely manner may result in your driver’s license being automatically suspended. The DMV operates separately from the courts and normally has jurisdiction over the suspension or revocation of drivers’ licenses. DMVs act on violation of per se laws, where there is a law indicating a legal limit for Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Conversely, in many states the DMV does not have jurisdiction in cases of driving under the influence of drugs, since there are no set per se levels set for drug levels in the blood. However, some jurisdictions deal more harshly with drugged-driving violators, sometimes handing out driving suspensions by court decree. The issuance of a provisional driver’s license, which allows you to drive to work or school, may be granted and varies by the state.

Penalties for DWI

The purpose of DWI statues is to reduce the incidence of driving under the influence, thereby increasing highway safety and reducing traffic fatalities and injuries. Punishments for drunk driving have become increasingly harsher over the past ten years and will almost continue to increase in severity.

These include:
• Fines that can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, as well as increased insurance costs
• Probation, community service, home monitoring and/or mandatory attendance at DUI or AA meetings
• Suspension, revocation or restriction of your driving privileges, in conjunction with the DMV
• Installation of ignition interlock devices
• Vehicle impoundment or forfeiture
• Monetary restitution to the victim/s
• Incarceration in a county or state prison for sentences ranging from one day to several months or even years for multiple offenses

You must be completely open and honest with your DWI attorney; and all of the information that you provide will be held in strict confidentiality and is legally protected under the law! Your attorney will try and erase your DUI record.

If you are facing a potential DUI charge, please fill out our secure free legal evaluation form and one of our DUI attorneys will contact you immediately. Or call us toll free at 800-798-8384. Your information will remain confidential.