DUI

A DUI conviction has the potential to alter more lives of ordinary Alabamians than any criminal statute in the state. A DUI conviction will result in the suspension of your driving privileges, an order requiring your participation in a court referral program, fines and court costs, and possibly the installation of an ignition interlock device and/or jail time. More importantly, a DUI conviction can cause you to lose your employment or limit your future employment options.

Individuals charged with a DUI feel a social stigma that can cause them to wait until the last minute to seek representation. That is a serious mistake. An administrative suspension of your driver’s license will typically begin within 45 days of your arrest for a DUI. There are crucial time limits that begin to run upon your arrest that require timely action to both preserve evidence and to save your driving privilege pending a resolution of the DUI case.

The Complexities And Punitive Nature Of Alabama DUI Statutes

Average citizens think of drinking and driving in terms of .08 BAC (blood alcohol content). However, the state of Alabama has adopted a comprehensive DUI statute that not only covers a .08 BAC, but also prohibits driving any vehicle while:

• Under the influence of alcohol
• Under the influence a controlled substance to a degree rendering you incapable of driving safely
• Any combination of alcohol and drugs rendering you incapable of driving safely
• Under the influence of any substance that impairs a person such that you are incapable of driving safely

The Alabama DUI law prohibits you from driving a vehicle in any of these conditions, and you are also prohibited from being in actual physical control of your vehicle. For example, you may realize that you have had too much to drink and decide to pull over to sleep it off. You have certainly made the safe decision not to continue driving while impaired, but depending on the circumstances, you may still be arrested for DUI.

The Need For Skilled Legal Representation From A DUI Defense Attorney

Alabama’s DUI statute has an escalating series of punishments depending on the circumstances of the charged offense. Aggravating circumstances can cause rapidly escalating fines, additional jail time and the installation of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. Aggravating circumstances include:

• Multiple convictions of DUI within a five-year period
• A BAC of .15 or more
• The presence of a child under the age of 14 in the vehicle
• The injury of a person other than the person charged with the DUI

Contact The Riley Law Firm

Being charged with DUI and facing a suspended license is a serious matter and requires careful analysis from both a factual standpoint and a legal standpoint. Learn more about the benefit of trusting your DUI defense to a Birmingham DUI lawyer experienced in helping the residents of Jefferson and Shelby counties with their driving-related offenses in state and municipal court. Contact me online or call 205-212-5577.