A person can be arrested for a DUI if an officer believes they were driving under the influence and pulls them over, or as the result of an accident. In these situations, the person will want to hire a DUI attorney as quickly as possible to find out if there is any way to have the charges dismissed or if they can go to trial and be found not guilty of the charges against them. This is important as the penalties for a DUI can be severe and long-lasting.
Basic DUI Penalties
A person who is arrested and charged with a DUI for the first time faces from three days to 180 days in jail, up to $2,000 in fines, and 90 to 365 days with a suspended license. If they refuse to take the BAC test administered by the police officer, they will receive an automatic 180 days license suspension; this is in addition to any suspension if they are convicted. The person will also have a conviction on their record that can be seen when they want to rent a home or apply for a job. They’ll also have one strike against them already if they are ever caught drinking and driving again in the future.
When the Penalties Raise
Penalties can raise for a variety of reasons: if it’s the person’s first offense, the penalties can be raised if they caused an accident, if they left the scene of an accident, if there was a child in the car, or for other instances. The penalties will also raise if it is not their first time being arrested and convicted of a DUI. Texas does not have a look-back period for previous convictions, so any prior DUI can count against the person.
Hiring a DUI Attorney is often a person’s only chance of obtaining a better outcome for their situation. If you have been arrested and charged with a DUI, contact an attorney as quickly as possible so they can see what your options are. You may not have to face a conviction on your record. For more information on your specific case, contact John L. Corn Attorney at Law today. You Can also like them on Facebook.
