Why It’s Worth It to Fight a DUI
Oct. 18, 2022
Often, people facing DUI charges believe there is nothing they can do to avoid a conviction and the penalties associated with DUIs. However, just because you have been arrested for a DUI does not mean it is not worth fighting the charges.
As a criminal defense attorney at Chahine Legal LLC, I help clients in Lawrence, Kansas, and surrounding areas fight DUI charges and avoid criminal penalties and other unnecessary consequences of a drunk driving charge. I handle DUI cases throughout both Kansas and Missouri. If you are facing DUI charges, I can review your unique case and help you understand if there is anything you can do to beat your DUI case.
Possible Penalties for a DUI in Kansas or Missouri
When considering whether or not you should fight a DUI, it is worth reviewing the penalties associated with DUIs in Kansas and Missouri. Depending on the circumstances of your arrest, the number of prior arrests/convictions on your record, and other factors, possible penalties may include:
Incarceration
Hefty fines
Suspension of your driver’s license
Mandatory DUI education program and/or treatment program
Probation
Community service
Installation of an ignition interlock device
Even a first DUI conviction in Kansas or Missouri carries severe penalties, which is why you’ll need to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you understand your options to fight the charges as soon as possible after the arrest.
Ramifications of a DUI Conviction
In addition to criminal penalties, there may also be other ramifications of a DUI conviction, including but not limited to:
Loss of a job or inability to get a job. Having a DUI conviction on your record can affect your job opportunities. In some cases, a person may even lose their job after a conviction, especially if their job involves driving a motor vehicle. Since a DUI is considered a crime, having a DUI conviction on your job application could make you look less employable in the eyes of a prospective employer.
Higher insurance premiums. A DUI conviction is likely to result in a substantial increase in insurance premiums. In the worst-case scenario, the insurance provider may even decide to cancel your insurance policy.
Reputational damage. Last but not least, having a DUI conviction on your record may lead to reputational damage. People around you may treat you as someone who has a drinking problem.
These are not the only possible consequences of a DUI conviction. Talk to a skilled DUI defense attorney to review the facts of your case and determine if it is worth fighting a DUI in your situation.
Defense Strategies for People Facing DUI Charges
There may be multiple defense strategies available to you if you are facing DUI charges. Some of the possible DUI defenses may include:
Erroneous breath test results. A breathalyzer is not the most accurate way to check a person’s level of impairment, which is why the results of the breath test may be challenged.
Lack of probable cause. If the police did not have probable cause to stop your vehicle, you might be able to use it as a defense strategy to avoid a DUI conviction.
Inaccurate blood test results. The blood test may have produced an erroneous result due to improper storage or contamination of the blood sample.
Improper administration of a field sobriety test. If the DUI arrest was based on an improperly administered field sobriety test, the entire DUI case is likely to be dismissed.
If you are facing DUI charges, reach out to an attorney to review your unique situation and identify possible ways to fight the DUI case.
Don’t Risk Your Future
As a criminal defense attorney at Chahine Legal LLC, I can investigate your case and help you make an informed decision about your defense. Given the harsh consequences you may face if convicted, you do not want to risk your future and freedom. Contact my office in Lawrence, Kansas, to get answers to your questions and start working on the best defense strategy for your case.