Driving Under the Influence Attorneys
If you have been arrested for or charged with driving under the influence, you may want to seek the help of a DUI attorney. A DUI attorney in your local area may have experience with the laws in your state, and could be a resource who can answer your questions and talk to you about your DUI arrest.
A DUI arrest means that you have been taken into custody by the police. The police must tell you that you are under arrest specifically. The suspect who is arrested doesn't have a choice in the matter. They are under the authority of the police at that point.
There are a number of ways that can lead to an officer's justified arrest of a suspect. These include if the officer has seen a crime take place, has probable cause to arrest, meaning if there is proper evidence to suggest a crime took place or will took place, or if there is an arrest warrant.
If you have been arrested for DUI and want to protect your rights, you can get a free case evaluation with a local driving under the influence attorney. To connect right away, simply complete the free form on this page.
The Possible Consequences of a Driving Under the Influence Conviction
Following a DUI arrest, there is the chance that the person arrested will be charged with and convicted of driving under the influence. Such a conviction can have a number of outcomes, and it may be helpful to have a sense of what these penalties and consequences could be.
First off, the consequences of a DUI conviction depend on a large variety of factors, including the number of times that the individual has been convicted of driving under the influence in the past. For first-time offenders, the penalties are generally significantly less severe, while for repeat offenders the consequences can increase based on the number of previous DUI convictions.
Another major contributor to the severity of a DUI penalty is whether anyone was injured or killed in a DUI accident. Such injuries can greatly increase the length of jail time, the amount of fines and duration of driver's license suspensions.
DWI Penalties in Mississippi
To use one state as an example, in Mississippi the penalty for DWI, the term used in the state meaning driving while intoxicated, for first-time DWI offenders can be up to six months in jail, be fined up to $500, face a 30 days suspended license and the possibility of an ignition interlock device being installed on a primary vehicle.
For those convicted of a second DWI, those penalties go up to a mandatory five days in jail and a maximum of a year locked up. The driver's license is suspended for an entire year, an ignition interlock device is mandatory, and fines can reach $1,000.
With each new conviction, the penalties rise. Add in other factors, from child endangerment to DUI accident to blood alcohol content levels, and the consequences only increase more.
Contact an Attorney About a Driving Under the Influence Charge
If you are facing an arrest or charge for driving under the influence, you may want to talk to someone about your case. You might want to know more about the possible consequences, and what penalties may lie ahead. One of our sponsoring DUI attorneys may be the person to answer those questions. Fill out or free case evaluation form below, and will connect you with a local DUI attorney today.
Laws may have changed since our last update. This is for informational purposes and is not legal advice. Speak to a local DUI attorney for legal advice about your particular situation.