Baldwin County DUI Lawyer

Although a first-offense conviction for a DUI is considered a misdemeanor in Alabama, it should not be taken lightly. If you are found guilty of DUI in the state of Alabama, you can be looking at several different types of consequences.

This is why it is imperative to contact a Baldwin County DUI lawyer right away. A skilled defense attorney can begin building your defense to obtain the best result possible result for you.

Conviction of a DUI

In order to be convicted of a DUI in Alabama, the State needs to demonstrate that the driver of a motor vehicle had a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of:

• .08% or more
• .02% or more if the driver is under the age of 21

In addition, operators of commercial vehicles will be found guilty of a DUI if they are operating the vehicle with a BAC or .04% or higher. The State is usually able to demonstrate this by having the individual blow into a breathalyzer.

In Alabama, individuals licensed to operate motor vehicles must consent to a chemical test. Refusing to submit to this test results in an automatic 90-day suspension of a driver’s license in the first offense and a mandatory one-year suspension for a second offense.

Legal and Administrative Penalties

The law does not treat convictions for a DUI lightly. A first conviction for a DUI can result in:

• Imprisonment
• Fines ($500 – $2,000), plus an additional $100 to go to the Impaired Drivers Trust Fund
• A mandatory license suspension for 90-days
• Requirement to attend DUI classes
• Potential community service

The fines, potential jail time, and loss of privileges increase if a defendant faces a second, third, or fourth conviction. For instance, a fourth-time offender can lose their license for five years or even permanently if the judge deems proper.

In addition to the criminal penalties associated with a DUI, a defendant has to deal with the administrative penalties assessed by the DMV. This means more fines and more potential restrictions on driving privileges. In some instances, offenders may be required to have an Ignition Interlock device installed in their vehicles.

An offender is entitled to have a hearing on their case in the DMV and it strongly recommended that they have their Baldwin County DUI attorney present. Administrative hearings are relatively less formal than court proceedings and do not give offenders the same rights. There are also different evidentiary rules involved in an administrative hearing.

Collateral DUI Consequences

The legal and administrative penalties of being convicted for a DUI are commonly known. However, many people do not realize the long-term effects of a DUI conviction.

• Insurance rates and premiums can skyrocket
• Potential employers can deny job applications
• Reputation in the community may diminish
• May result in denial of government security clearance

These derivative consequences can have serious implications on one’s ability to continue on with their lives. This is why it is necessary to have an attorney present at every proceeding involving a DUI. A Baldwin County DUI attorney will make sure the state does not cross any lines and challenge the sufficiency of due process at every stage.

How a Baldwin County DUI Attorney Can Help

Baldwin County DUI attorneys have handled a number of DUI cases and helped many clients in Baldwin County and the surrounding areas obtain favorable judgments. They understand that conviction of a DUI can have serious ramifications on your overall quality of life.

They will fight for you at every stage of the litigation, starting at whether or not the stop conducted by the police officer was lawful. A DUI lawyer in Baldwin is happy to inform you of your rights along with the proper steps to take. Contact today to discuss your DUI arrest.

---