Driving under the influence also known as DUI, is a severe criminal offense in DC that has serious consequences for convicted drivers, even if this is their first DUI offense. Although driving while intoxicated is considered a misdemeanor in the District of Columbia, it is the only misdemeanor that may carry mandatory minimum jail time. In case you are convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, you may face a maximum penalty of 180 days and $1,000 fine.
Keep in mind that judges consider drunk driving very seriously and that most of them give offenders probation even when they are convicted. Probation can be avoided only when the circumstances of your case impose mandatory minimum jail time.
Keep in mind that an arrest doesn’t mean you are convicted. Even if your situation is severe, and it may be hard to have the case dismissed, your attorney may find the solution that will at least minimize your penalties. Having your case dropped really depends on the severity of your charges, and the quality of the criminal defender you hired.
The penalties for a first offense based upon blood or breath scores in DC is as follows:
DUI is harder to prove than DWI, but the officers will carefully observe you and take into account all your actions and statements during the arrest. This is why is best to remain calm and silent when facing a drunk driving arrest. The law enforcement officials will try to turn everything you say and do against you and in their favor. To commit a crime of driving under the influence, any specific BAC reading is not required. Therefore, you can get arrested and charged with drunk driving even if your BAC was under 0.08%.
OWI or operating a vehicle while impaired is one of the easiest drunk driving charges for the DA to approve. The penalty for OWI - first offense - is $200 to $300 fine and up to 30 days in jail. To be convicted of an OWI, the law enforcement officials are required to prove that you were driving while being impaired in any way by alcohol. It is important to know that an OWI offense is not recognized by every state in the US. In case you are an out-of-state driver, your driver’s license will be revoked in DC, but not in your home state. If you have a DC driver’s license, it will be suspended or revoked for a certain amount of time.
Regardless of your situation and number of offenses that have occurred, in case of a drunk driving arrest, you must hire a lawyer and have legal assistance when you go to court.
Keep in mind that judges consider drunk driving very seriously and that most of them give offenders probation even when they are convicted. Probation can be avoided only when the circumstances of your case impose mandatory minimum jail time.
Local Drunk Driving Attorney | Questions To Ask Your DUI Lawyer
If you are accused of drunk driving, it is crucial to hire an experienced DUI attorney to assist you. Only a reputable professional that has handled similar cases to yours can give you the aggressive defense you need. Without proper legal representation, it is impossible to avoid conviction and all the consequences that come with it. You want to be sure all of your questions are answered before you leave that initial consultation. You want to know what you should do next, and find out if any additional classes are required. You want to feel confident that you know what lies ahead.Chances Of Getting A DUI Dropped
In the District of Columbia, you can be charged with three different types of drunk driving offenses. Each charge requires proving various elements and in case of conviction, carries a different sentence. Have in mind that every case is unique and that the information below may not entirely apply to your situation. This is another reason why you must hire an experienced lawyer to defend you. Only a professional can understand your situation and offer the right solutions for it.Keep in mind that an arrest doesn’t mean you are convicted. Even if your situation is severe, and it may be hard to have the case dismissed, your attorney may find the solution that will at least minimize your penalties. Having your case dropped really depends on the severity of your charges, and the quality of the criminal defender you hired.
How Reliable Are Sobriety Tests
The most common drunk driving charge in the District of Columbia is DWI also known as driving while intoxicated. If you are charged with this crime, the government is required to prove that you have operated a vehicle while having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 grams per deciliter of blood. The evidence is obtained through blood, breath and urine tests. The government doesn’t have to require that you suffered some type of impairment due to increased blood alcohol concentration. A highly trained legal firm will often question the validity of the field sobriety tests and can ask the officer many questions while on the stand to determine how well it was administered.Charges And Punishment for A Drunk Driving Arrest
So, it doesn’t matter if you had two drinks and you feel fine and capable of driving. If your BAC level is higher than the law allows, and you get caught, you will be charged with driving while intoxicated and the punishment for DUI can be quite severe. BAC of 0.08% gives the police officers a sufficient reason to arrest you. If your BAC is higher, you may face additional consequences, such as mandatory jail time.The penalties for a first offense based upon blood or breath scores in DC is as follows:
- With a BAC of 0.08% to 0.09%, you may have to pay $1000 fine and spend up to the maximum of 180 days in jail.
- With a BAC of 0.10%, to 0.19%, you may have to pay $1000 fine and spend up to a maximum of 180 days in jail. This may affect your DSA status.
- With a BAC of 0.20% to 0.25%, penalties remain the same but mandatory jail time is 10 days.
- With a BAC 0.25+ punishment remains the same but mandatory jail time is 15 days.
What Is PBJ and How Will It Impact You
When charged with driving under the influence, also known as DUI, the government has to prove that you have operated a vehicle while influenced by alcohol or drugs and that your ability to drive was affected by the intoxicating substances you have taken. Apart from breath, blood and urine tests, law enforcement officers also use methods such as observation and field sobriety tests to prove you have been driving while impaired. DUI is harder to prove than DWI, but the officers will carefully observe you and take into account all your actions and statements during the arrest. This is why is best to remain calm and silent when facing a drunk driving arrest. The law enforcement officials will try to turn everything you say and do against you and in their favor. To commit a crime of driving under the influence, any specific BAC reading is not required. Therefore, you can get arrested and charged with drunk driving even if your BAC was under 0.08%.
DUI Lawyer Price Range
The penalty for a first DUI offense is the same as for DWI. If you want to avoid paying a costly fine and potentially spending up to 180 days in jail, you have to hire a drunk driving lawyer to question the arresting officer and witnesses (if there are any). He will also look for potential errors that were made when performing a field sobriety test or other procedures that aim to determine whether or not you have been driving while impaired. OWI or operating a vehicle while impaired is one of the easiest drunk driving charges for the DA to approve. The penalty for OWI - first offense - is $200 to $300 fine and up to 30 days in jail. To be convicted of an OWI, the law enforcement officials are required to prove that you were driving while being impaired in any way by alcohol. It is important to know that an OWI offense is not recognized by every state in the US. In case you are an out-of-state driver, your driver’s license will be revoked in DC, but not in your home state. If you have a DC driver’s license, it will be suspended or revoked for a certain amount of time.
Regardless of your situation and number of offenses that have occurred, in case of a drunk driving arrest, you must hire a lawyer and have legal assistance when you go to court.
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