If you see police lights in your rearview mirror and pull over for a traffic stop, what happens next is largely out of your control. The officer may accuse you of reckless behaviors and ask if you’ve been drinking. They may ask you to give a breath sample for a Breathalyzer test to see if you’re intoxicated by alcohol.
If you have any kind of positive result on that test and have committed another traffic offense, it’s possible that you could be arrested for a DUI even if your blood alcohol concentration was under .08%. To help protect yourself in this situation, it’s important not to try to talk your way out of the arrest or to cause trouble. Instead, remember that you have a right to speak with an attorney.
Why is an aggressive defense important for a DUI charge?
The penalties for a DUI are significant, which is why you should defend against a DUI charge as aggressively as possible. On a first offense, there is a mandatory license suspension of 120 days, which could significantly impact your ability to get to work, school or complete other responsibilities in your life. Drivers have the option of asking for an Ignition Restricted Driving License and ignition interlock device (IID), but this is often costly.
It’s also costly to cover fees associated with your restricted license or reinstatement of your license after it’s suspended. The interlock fee is $175. The restricted driving license fee is another $56. Reinstatement fees for DUIs are $175. All of these fees add up, and they’re not the only financial penalties you could face.
Can you drive after a DUI arrest?
After a DUI arrest, you should receive a temporary permit to drive. It lasts for 30 days. During this time, it’s important to get in touch with the court and to work on extending that driving privilege. You deserve an opportunity to defend yourself against the accusations of driving while impaired as well. It’s up to you to request a trial date, which is something you can discuss as you work on your legal defense.