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Helpful Resources and Articles
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense that can have significant consequences for those convicted. Not only can a DUI result in hefty fines and legal penalties, but it can also lead to long-term consequences such as a criminal record, increased insurance rates, and even job loss. Whether you've been charged with driving while impaired or have been injured due to someone else's negligent drunk driving, these resources have been curated to help you resolve your case.
I Think I Need a Lawyer
If you’ve been charged with a DUI, you may be wondering if you need to hire a DUI attorney. While it’s possible to represent yourself in court, it’s generally not recommended. A DUI attorney can help you navigate the legal system and ensure that your rights are protected. They can also help you understand the potential consequences of a DUI conviction and work to mitigate them. If you've been injured in a drunk driving accident, you may want to hire a DUI attorney to file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf. These resources aim to help both defendants and injured parties resolve their cases.
DUI Cases and Lawsuits
If you are charged with DUI, it’s important to understand what consequences you might face, how penalties can differ depending on the severity of your charge, and how an experienced DUI attorney can help reduce your penalties. If you've been injured in a drunk driving accident, it's important to understand the costs, timelines, and other factors that may affect your DUI lawsuit.
DUI Laws and Regulations by State
Here’s a close look at DUI laws state by state as well as penalties for violating these laws, how much you can sue someone for after a drunk driving accident, and resources for individuals injured by impaired drivers.
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Top DUI Lawyers
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West Valley City, UT
Melton Law PLLC
5955 Redwood Road #103, Taylorsville, UT 84123Robin Kirkham Law, LLC
680 E. Winchester St., Murray, UT 84107Law Offices of Jonathan Z. Paz, LLC
420 E South Temple 4th Floor, Suite 460, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Sunnyvale, CA
Bernard P. Bray
1625 The Alameda, Suite 508, San Jose, CA 95126Law Office of James Dunn
202 California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306Edward N. Ajlouny Attorney at Law
2 N. Market St., Ste. 444, San Jose, CA 95113
Oklahoma City, OK
Fassio Law
435 N Walker Ave Ste 201, Oklahoma City, OK 73102Phillips & Associates
1900 NW Expressway Ste 601, Oklahoma City, OK 73118Cannon & Associates
1425 S. Fretz Avenue, Edmond, OK 73003
Coral Springs, FL
Liberty & Justice Legal, P.A.
4699 N. State Road 7, Suite A1, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33319The Law Offices of Roger P. Foley, P.A
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard Suite 1555, West Palm Beach, FL 33401Andrew M. Coffey, P.A. Attorney at Law
208 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Port St. Lucie, FL
Kibbey Wagner Attorneys at Law
540 NW University Blvd. #201, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986T. Charles Shafer Attorney at Law, PLLC
130 S Indian River Dr., Suite 202, Fort Pierce, FL 34950David Golden, P.A.
601 21st Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960
Gary, IN
Law Offices of Shane O’Donnell
2100 North Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307Deppe Law Center
3940 West 37th Ave., Ridge Rd., Hobart, IN 46342Robert A. Plantz & Associates, LLC
8105 Georgia Street, Merrillville, IN 46410
Rock Hill, SC
Powers Law Firm PA
331 E Main St #200, Rock Hill, SC 29730Expertise.com Concierge Service
Rock Hill, SCLaw Office of James R. Snell, Jr. LLC
123 Harmon Street, Rock Hill, SC 29072
Huntsville, AL
John M. Totten, P.C.
105 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611Martinson & Beason, P.C.
115 North Side Square, Huntsville, AL 35801The Moore Firm, LLC
917 Southwest Merchants Walk, Huntsville, AL 35801
Carrollton, TX
The Law Office of J. Barrett Wilson, PLLC
5851 Legacy Circle, Plano, TX 75024The Law Office of Kimberly Griffin Tucker
17480 Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75287Hunsucker Legal Group P.L.L.C.
903 East McKinney St., Denton, TX 76209
Birmingham, AL
Dummier Young LLC
1400 21st Way S, Birmingham, AL 35205Joseph C. Kreps
502 Montgomery Hwy Suite 202, Birmingham, AL 35216Bolen and Bolen Attorneys at Law
2477 Valleydale Rd Ste A1, Hoover, AL 35244
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a DUI charge involve?
DUI, or driving under the influence, is a criminal charge applied to someone who is suspected of operating their vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, such as drugs and/or alcohol. Every state in the U.S. has a law on the books that bans driving while intoxicated; however, the specific criteria may differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In some states, a driver with blood alcohol content (BAC) in excess of 0.08% can be brought up on DUI charges while other states set a higher threshold or increase the severity of charges in accordance with the level of intoxication. In some cases, DUI is determined not via testing but by behavior; drivers who are intoxicated to the point of impairment and who cannot safely operate their vehicle may be arrested on suspicion of DUI.
What's the difference between DUI, DWI, and OVI?
The terms driving under the influence (DUI), driving while impaired (DWI), and operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) are all legal phrases that refer to the crime of operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs (illegal or prescription), alcohol, or both. These terms are largely interchangeable though some states use only one acronym in their statutes for the sake of clarity. There are also other acronyms occasionally substituted for DUI, such as DWAI (driving while ability impaired), OWI (operating while intoxicated), OUI (operating under the influence), and DUII-CS (driving under the influence of intoxicants: controlled substances).
How long does a DUI stay on your record?
In addition to the more immediate penalties that come with a DUI conviction, this costly mistake can have other consequences. DUIs stay on your driving record for years with the exact length of time differing from state to state — the California Department of Motor Vehicles, for instance, tracks DUIs for 10 years and may use that information to determine things like license eligibility. In Alabama, DUIs stay on the record for five years while in Alaska they're permanent. In states that use point systems to track driving infractions, DUI points may stay on the record far longer than the DUI itself.
How much does a DUI lawyer cost?
The cost of a DUI lawyer depends largely on three things: geographic area, the lawyer's experience, and whether the case is settled quickly with a plea or ends up going to trial. Attorneys may charge a flat rate, more commonly used for simple cases that are likely to wrap up quickly, or they may charge by the hour, which can add up quickly if the case requires a lot of pretrial preparations and court time. Ultimately, a DUI lawyer could cost as little as $700 or bill in excess of $4,000.
How do I choose a DUI attorney?
Finding the right DUI lawyer is crucial, especially when it comes to preventing a suspended license and minimizing fees and other penalties. To choose the right one:
- Look for attorneys experienced in DUI case law
- Ask for referrals from family and friends
- Check the internet for reviews, keeping in mind that no two DUI cases are exactly alike
- Meet with prospective lawyers (many offer free consultations) to hear their perspective on the case and see whether their personality feels like a good fit
- Ask whether the lawyer will be the primary representative or if the case could be passed to an associate and how many clients the lawyer/firm represents at one time
- Discuss billing options — the difference between an hourly rate and flat fee can be considerable
What happens when you get a DUI?
Individuals detained on suspicion of a DUI are typically taken to jail, their vehicles impounded, and either held on bail or processed and released pending a court date. That initial court appearance is a chance to enter a plea; it's a good idea to retain legal representation prior to this hearing so they have an opportunity to argue for reduced charges or even dismissal.
Drunk driving charges are often enough to warrant a suspended license pending the outcome of the case. A DUI conviction could mean losing that license entirely as well as paying fines, court costs, and DMV fees and paying for treatment or other intervention programs as instructed by the court — perhaps even completing jail time. These penalties tend to be less severe for first-time offenders and increase significantly thereafter.
Can I contest a DUI without a lawyer?
While it's possible to contest a DUI without a lawyer present, case law is complex, and navigating those laws can be tricky. A DUI lawyer can't guarantee a positive outcome, but they are in a far better position to make crucial moves, such as challenging the legality of the original traffic stop, questioning the officer-led sobriety tests, and introducing evidence that could lead to an exoneration. In short, it's tempting to save money by going it alone, but the consequences could be costly. Before deciding against a lawyer, take advantage of a free consultation and weigh their recommendations. If budget is a factor, there are court-appointed public defenders who may take on the case.
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