If you or a loved one have been arrested for a DUI, contact our team of experienced attorneys and staff today.
Alabama’s drunk driving fatality rate is above the national average. According to the CDC, there were 3,190 drunk driving deaths in Alabama between 2003 and 2012. Over the last decade, that number has decreased by nearly 1,000. The CDC cites impaired driving laws as a deterrent to driving under the influence.
Due to the possible fatal effects of driving under the influence, DUIs are serious offenses with the potential for severe consequences. If you have been arrested for DUI, having an experienced Alabama DUI attorney is extremely important.
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What’s at Stake?
For a first DUI conviction, you could face up to one year in jail, be subject to a fine of $600 to $2,100, have your license suspended for 90 or more days, and be issued an Ignition Interlock Device (IID).
For a second DUI conviction, there is a mandatory minimum five days in jail and maximum of one year in jail, a fine of $1,100 to $5,100, a license suspension for one year, and a mandatory Ignition Interlock Device for two years.
For a third DUI conviction, sentencing requires a mandatory minimum of 60 days in jail and a maximum of one year in jail, a fine of $2,100 to $10,100, have your license suspended for three years, and a mandatory Ignition Interlock Device for three years.
A fourth DUI conviction is a Class C felony, punishable by a year and day, up to ten years in prison and a fine of $4,100 to $10,100, have your license suspended for five years, and a mandatory Ignition INterlock Device for four years.
There are additional penalties for offenders who register .15 or more blood alcohol content and for those who refuse to provide a breath sample.
Finding the Best DUI Attorney in Auburn/Opelika, AL
There are several factors to consider when choosing a lawyer. An experienced DUI attorney can be the difference between a harsh penalty and a fair one.
You should look for a DUI attorney with experience in the jurisdiction where you were arrested. Local DUI attorneys are likely more familiar with the roadways, bars, restaurants, etc. They are more familiar with the local legal system than an out-of-town attorney might be. They are able to better empathize with you, their client, as someone who lives in the same area, among the same people as you.
Experienced DUI lawyers have an extensive understanding of the nuances and limits of the law. With this knowledge, a lawyer is able to take advantage of every facet of the law with your best interests in mind. Experience and familiarity with the local legal system is critical for an attorney to properly defend your case and minimize the possible negative consequences of a conviction.
Trip Walton is an experienced, Auburn/Opelika DUI attorneys. Contact Walton Law today for a consultation!
