Drunk Driving Charges
A driving under the influence (DUI) charge in Oklahoma is not a light affair at all. One gets tangled into, not one but two different cases if arrested under DUI charge in Oklahoma. Two different charges, one from the criminal court and the other from the Department of Public Safety are thrown in. The charge from the Department of Public Safety is related primarily to your driving license. You are only given a 15 day period from the day of arrest to register an appeal. If you are unsuccessful at that, your driver’s license will be confiscated automatically for 180 days.
The best way to proceed with a DUI charge is to hire a competent Oklahoma DUI attorney. You’ll be surprised to know how much a lawyer can influence the outcome of the case. But first, we will look into consequences of DUI charges in Oklahoma.
Repercussions of DUI in Oklahoma
Criminal charges and penalties
When arrested on DUI charge, the people of Oklahoma are subject to criminal charges. These charges can become very tricky to handle and by no means should be taken lightly. If you lose a DUI case, there is a chance that you would end up serving jail time anywhere from 10 days to one year. You can also be fined between $100 and $1,000.
Apart from this, researches show that DUI convicts lose their jobs, insurance and credibility at a very high rate. As you would expect, convicts develop an unhealthy psychological state. People give them a hard time. They feel they are a source of embarrassment and pain to themselves and their families.
Administrative license suspension (ALS)
If you fail to appeal against the Department of Public Safety charge, you’ll end up having your license suspended for 180 days. This can also happen if you fail the DUI test or in some cases if you simply refuse to take the test. For the first time the suspensions would be with affect for 180 days. However, the time can increase and go up to three tears if the offence is repeated.
Ignition Interlock Device
The DUI convicts can also expect installation of ignition interlock device to their vehicles. This device necessitate for the driver to blow into it on regular intervals. The device takes reading of various aspects and if it finds any irregularity such as elevated BAC, the engine will not start. The vehicle will turn off while driving and you won’t be able to start it again.
The role of an Oklahoma DUI attorney
Getting acquitted from a DUI charge in Oklahoma is a complex task. This is where the participation, skill and experience of a DUI attorney come into play. The charges are serious and intricate, and in simple words it will take a good attorney to get you out of this mess. You should be aware that DUI charge is a specialization amongst lawyers. Therefore choose a lawyer who has a successful track record in DUI charges.
Many general attorneys and criminal lawyers claim that they are very skillful. They advertise themselves very well. There is a chance they will trick you into believing they are the perfect attorney for your case. So, whenever you have to choose a lawyer, look into the details comprehensively. Check his experience and past record. Always go for the best attorneys, because they can make all the difference.
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