Take Action as Soon as Possible!
One of the most important factors to consider in a DUI charge is the necessity to take action as soon as possible. The ramifications of a conviction can be extremely detrimental and failing to be proactive can only worsen your situation while increasing your chance for a negative outcome.
Many accused people do not realize that there are actually many drunk driving charges that are successfully disputed and they believe that they simply have to deal with the consequences. You can fight it and you should begin as soon as possible!
Politely indicate to the officers that you will not answer any questions, or participate in any Field Sobriety Tests. Provide your Name and Address, then indicate that you would like to speak to your Attorney. You should take a breath or Blood test, at the police station, if requested to do so. Otherwise, you will lose your driver's license for a 1 year period.
Contact Boulahanis & Associates immediately so that they can start defending your rights from the moment you get in touch. A charge can move fast and after you are taken into custody you will be brought before a judge soon after. There is little time to prepare and you want as strong a defense as possible.
Challenging a License Suspension
If you refuse to take a chemical test after being stopped for a DUI, you will need to request an administrative hearing at the Secretary Of State in order to fight for the ability to keep your drivers' license. You must request this hearing within 14 days of your DUI arrest (you may have an extra day to request a hearing if the 14th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday).
If you fail to request the hearing within 14 days, your drivers' license will be automatically suspended for one or two years. It is imperative that you act swiftly to request a hearing and that you contact an attorney for legal representation throughout the process.
What to Expect at Your Hearing (Implied Consent Hearing)
At your Secretary Of State hearing, you will meet with a referee to dispute the circumstances of your arrest. By presenting an effective argument to the representative, you may be able to reduce the length of your license suspension or avoid a suspension completely. If the results of your hearing are unsuccessful, you will face a six-month license suspension for a first OWI offense or a 12-month suspension if you possess prior OWVI convictions.
You will have a much stronger chance of protecting your license if you consult with us immediately following your arrest. If you are facing the loss of your driving privileges for DUI, contact us as soon as possible.
At Boulahanis & Associates, our legal team is highly experienced in addressing the many facets of DUI cases, including administrative hearings. We are prepared to offer immediate legal support in your DUI case in an effort to prevent the suspension of your driving privileges.
