Being stopped and arrested for a DUI can come with severe penalties if a person is convicted. The penalties are higher if they have previous DUIs on their record. Those who are arrested and charged with a DUI or related crime will want to make sure they contact a DUI Lawyer in Jefferson County MO quickly. The lawyer can help them avoid or minimize the penalties they’re facing.
Potential Penalties for a DUI
Someone doesn’t even need to be driving to be charged with a DUI, just in actual physical control of the vehicle. If the person has a BAC (blood alcohol content) of at least .08, they can be charged with a DUI. They then face, for a first offense, up to six months in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, and a 30-day license suspension followed by a 60-day restricted license.
Someone who is facing their second DUI is facing up to one year in jail, up to $2,000 in fines, a 5-year revocation of their driver’s license, and a minimum of six months with an interlock ignition device once they’re allowed to drive again. The penalties increase with extenuating circumstances or if it’s their third or subsequent DUI conviction.
Avoiding the Penalties
Sometimes, a lawyer can have the case dismissed due to lack of evidence or a minimal chance of the prosecution successfully convicting the arrested person. This could happen, for instance, if the lawyer can show the breathalyzer used was not calibrated correctly and, therefore, could have given a false reading. The charges being dismissed doesn’t happen in every case, but it is a possibility.
Minimizing the Penalties
If the charges cannot be dismissed, the lawyer can work to minimize the penalties their client is facing. They might show the judge their client is trying to better their life and avoid the same issue in the future, which might convince the judge to offer the minimum sentence instead of the maximum sentence. It is likely a lawyer can minimize the penalties to some extent in most cases.
If you’ve been arrested and charged with a DUI, contact a DUI Lawyer in Jefferson County MO quickly to learn more about how they can help you. The Wegmann Law Firm is ready to hear about your situation and let you know what your options are for your defense. Follow us on Twitter.
