Most of the time, a person who is arrested and charged with a DUI for the first time will have no idea what penalties they’re facing and whether hiring a lawyer can help. It’s important for a person to have access to this information so they can better judge their own decision and determine if hiring a DUI Lawyer in Charles Town WV is going to be the right move for them.
Potential Penalties of a DUI
A person who is convicted of their first DUI offense faces up to six months in jail, fines of $100 to $1,000, 15 to 45 days with a suspended license, and the possibility of an IID (interlock Ignition Device) being required when they are able to drive again. These penalties apply to a person who is over 21 years of age with a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of .08% or higher, a person who is under 21 years old with a BAC of .02% and higher, or a commercial driver with a BAC of .04% or higher. If the person refuses to take the BAC test, they can be arrested and will face a mandatory one-year license suspension regardless of whether they’re convicted of the DUI.
The Importance of a Lawyer
Hiring a DUI Lawyer in Charles Town WV can be expensive, but most people find it’s well worth the cost. A person who hires a lawyer may be able to have the charges against them dismissed if the lawyer can show there isn’t enough evidence to convict them. This often occurs when the lawyer can prove the BAC test was not properly administered. Even if the person is convicted, the DUI Lawyer in Charles Town WV can help them obtain a far lower sentence. For example, they may only need to pay $100 in fines instead of $1,000 and may only need to spend a few days in jail. Since the severity of the sentence can have a significant impact on a person’s future, hiring a lawyer could definitely make a difference.
If you’ve been arrested and charged with a DUI, you should contact a DUI Lawyer in Charles Town WV immediately. The penalties even for a first offense can be severe and a lawyer can help a person have the charges dismissed or minimized.
