What Happens When You are Arrested for a DUI/DWI?

Answer 1

Being charged with a DUI / DWI (Driving Under the Influence / Driving While Intoxicated) can be frightening and very serious. The ramifications can be far reaching and could cause problems for you with your family and your job as well as your car insurance and driving record. Many states list DUI/DWI offenders in the newspaper so that it is broadcast publicly. Anyone who is found behind the wheel of a vehicle with a .08% or higher blood alcohol level is considered driving under the influence and can be charged with at least a misdemeanor.

At the Scene

If you are pulled over by a police officer who suspects that you are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it is important to cooperate with all of the officer's requests. If you are asked to take a breathalyzer test, your best course of action is to comply. If the test shows that you have a blood alcohol level that is less than .08%, you have not broken any laws and will be fine. If you refuse to take the test, the officer can claim probable cause and arrest you anyway. Compliance is the best way to avoid further complications.

Legal Consequences

The severity of the legal consequences depends on several factors. If you were pulled over in a routine traffic stop and it is your first offense, you will probably only charged with a misdemeanor. If your blood alcohol level is too high the officer may arrest you and impound your vehicle. If you are charged with a DUI/DWI and caused a collision, you may face a felony charge. If the collision involves injury or death, the charges become even more severe. Felony DUI/DWI charges can lead to at least 1 year in prison as well as a suspended license.

When to Seek Legal Assistance

It is important to contact an experienced DUI/DWI attorney as soon as possible after you are charged. DUI/DWI cases are filled with details that can haunt you for the rest of your life if you do not handle them properly at the time of the arrest. An attorney who understands the system can help you reduce the lingering damages that a DUI/DWI arrest can cause so that you can go on with your normal life more quickly. The possible consequences of a poorly handled DUI/DWI arrest are not worth the money you might save by failing to hire a lawyer.