DUI? The Clock is Ticking!
If you’ve been arrested for a DUI in Oklahoma, there are immediate consequences. The presumption of drunk driving can lead to the suspension of your driver’s license. The minimum suspension is six months. It can also last a year or more. For a modified suspension, you need to act quickly. In Oklahoma, you have 15 days from your arrest to appeal the suspension before you lose your license for at least six months.
A modified suspension could lead to less time without your license or the ability to drive with the use of an ignition interlock device. This device functions as an in-car breathalyzer that prevents the car from turning on if your BAC is above the legal limit. For the best result for your case, you need strong legal representation. The DUI attorneys at Wirth Law Office – Nowata can help you develop a strategy for approaching your case. You should retain a lawyer right after your arrest.
What Happens After a DUI?
If this is your first DUI, it is considered a misdemeanor and carries a bail of $1,000. Subsequent DUIs are felonies with bail ranging from $2,000 to $15,000. A first-time DUI can lead to up to a year in jail. If a minor was in the car at the time of arrest, jail time can be up to four years. A second DUI can result in up to five years in jail, along with steep fines and court costs. Any DUI results in an immediate temporary suspension of your driver’s license that can last from 6 months to a few years. If your BAC is 0.08 within two hours of your arrest, that is considered proof of violation. If it’s higher than that, you can face more severe charges and penalties.
The more you remember about your arrest, the better. When your memory is fresh, the details are more vivid. This is why you should talk to a lawyer as soon as possible after your arrest. These details can help your case. The case against you may not hold up if the breath alcohol test was not properly administered or documented, if police had no reason to stop you, or if you weren’t driving when you were arrested. Just because your license is suspended doesn’t mean your rights are suspended. You have the right to legal counsel, and you want to choose someone who is truly on your side. The DUI criminal defense attorneys at Nowata’s Wirth Law Office can help get the charges against you reduced or dismissed.
Moving On From a DUI
One way you can help your case is by participating in an alcohol treatment program. It looks good when you own up to your mistakes and show a willingness to make necessary changes. Hopefully, your DUI arrest serves as a wake-up call. It’s never a good idea to drive when you’ve been drinking, even if you don’t think you’re drunk. There can be dire consequences, not just for you, but also for innocent drivers and pedestrians. Learn from this, and don’t let there be a next time.
You need a respectful ally who will help you confidently make positive changes in your life. The DUI attorneys at Wirth Law Office in Nowata can be that for you. They can minimize the current and future impact of your DUI charge. Getting your license suspended can be a serious inconvenience. You’ll have to find a new mode of transportation, which will likely cost you. You’ll also lose the convenience of being able to go wherever you want whenever you want. It can also affect your work situation if your job requires reliable transportation. You can end up unemployed and struggling to find a job with a DUI on your record. If you have a felony DUI conviction, you can lose hunting privileges, voting rights, the right to own a gun, and the right to hold public office. When your license is unsuspended, your car insurance rates could skyrocket.
The skilled Nowata DUI attorneys at Wirth Law Office know when to fight and when to negotiate a plea. They can help you mitigate the damage from your DUI charge. In Oklahoma, drivers automatically consent to be pulled over for an alcohol test whenever. That’s another reason why it’s important never to drink and drive. If you’re facing a DUI charge, seek help now.
Free Consultation with a Nowata DUI Attorney
Whether or not it’s your first DUI, you need knowledgeable and committed attorneys on your side. Let the Nowata DUI attorneys at Wirth Law Office help get your charges reduced or dropped. While criminal charges aren’t pleasant, you can learn from them and prevent future charges. If you or a loved one has been arrested for a DUI, don’t wait any longer to retain legal counsel. Call Wirth Law Office in Nowata at (918) 932-2872 or fill out the form at the top of this page.