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If you are from the area, chances are you know at least one or two people who have been convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI), also known as driving while intoxicated (DWI). Despite how common these convictions are, they can carry serious consequences, including fines, jail time, loss of one’s driver’s license, and more. These penalties are more severe if you have previous DWI convictions in the past 10 years. If you have been charged with operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to protect your rights and prepare a strong defense with the help of a credible criminal defense attorney. An experienced Bloomington DUI lawyer may be able to help.
Like most places in the nation, the legal impairment limit for drivers in Bloomington is .08 grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood. Drivers who have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of at least this level can be charged with a DWI, as can drivers who are suspected of driving under the influence of drugs, including cannabis. The charge is typically a misdemeanor if it is the driver’s first DWI offense. The driver may lose their license for 90 days or more, depending on how intoxicated they were. Additionally, they may be ordered to pay fines of up to $1,000. These penalties can be more severe if the driver has had additional DWI convictions within the past 10 years, has a child in the vehicle at the time of the alleged offense, or has a BAC of .16 or more.
Those who refuse to submit to a blood, breath, or urine test when ordered to do so by a police officer who has established probable cause that the driver is impaired may lose their license for a year. Those who are convicted of a third DUI within ten years stand to lose their license indefinitely, be charged with a felony, and face up to $14,000 in fines. It is worth noting that those charged with DUIs who were involved in accidents resulting in injuries or death to others will likely face additional penalties.
A Bloomington attorney could help you understand the penalties you face for your DUI charge and recommend the best course of action.
Being charged with a DUI can be scary, frustrating, and confusing. One of the first services a DUI lawyer in Bloomington could provide to help someone in this situation is explaining their legal rights and options. They could assess the case to determine what evidence is available for prosecutors, past convictions that may increase the penalties, and other issues to determine the best defense plan based on each case’s unique features.
Depending on the details of the case, an attorney may utilize various defense strategies, including challenging the validity of roadside sobriety or chemical tests, or the procedures used by the police during their investigation and arrest. In some cases, legal counsel may be able to get the case dismissed. In others, they may need to fight the charge in court or negotiate a plea deal that will reduce the consequences.
A lawyer could also help a person address the administrative consequences of the charge by appealing:
They may also help an individual obtain a limited or restricted license following revocation due to a DWI.
If you have been charged with DUI, do not leave your freedom to chance. Let an experienced Bloomington DUI lawyer from BK Law Group help you understand your rights and develop a sound defense strategy. Call us for more information today.