Do You Need A DUI Lawyer RI
Saturday, July 23rd, 2011Driving while intoxicated is never a smart move. Most local governments have very severe penalties for such actions. The penalties might include fines, jail time, loss of license and other consequences. Penalties may be determined by the number of similar charges, driver’s age, and decisions made by judges. One of the first things a person should do is to hire a DUI lawyer RI to help with the case.
When pulled over for drunk driving the biggest mistake a person can make is refusing to take a breath test to determine the alcohol level. Persons that refuse this test face immediate suspension of their license for six months as well as other penalties. Even persons that hire expert attorneys will have difficulty fighting these charges.
If the driver has not yet reached the legal driving age or has a high BAC the charges may be enhanced. Since drinking impairs ability to judge or remember number of drinks consumed, the person may think he or she is fine when in fact they are very drunk. It is always best to attend events where the drinking person needs a ride home with a designated driver who will not consume alcohol before driving the vehicle. This helps to ensure a safe trip with no chance of a drunk driving charge.
Penalties for the first time offense for drivers who are over the legal drinking age and have a BAC between 0.8 and 0.10 might include a fine of $100-300 dollars, a 1-6 month suspension of license, enrollment in driver safety or alcohol treatment and a $500 driver safety assessment.
The penalties for subsequent offenses, a higher blood alcohol count or for drivers under the legal drinking age will be even higher. Once again, the judge does have some choices in the matter, so he may be convinced to lower the fines and other penalties, especially if he feels that the person is willing to make some changes.
If the driver has caused the death of another person, there are very stiff penalties, including up to 15 years of time in jail, $5000 in fines and 5 years of revoked licenses. In these cases, it is imperative that the driver have legal representation.
Persons wanting to avoid drunk driving charges should never get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking. Those who have been arrested for drinking and driving will want to contact a DUI lawyer RI for the best outcome from the trial.
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