Sports are back! You decided to go to a party to watch your favorite team win. While there, everyone was enjoying the food and drinks (beers, liquors, wine), including you. After your team lost, you decided to down another drink or two before leaving. On the way home, you encountered the cops and they arrested you for driving under the influence. We do not condone drinking-and-driving, but if you have been arrested for driving under the influence, you should give us a call. Driving under the influence has some hefty penalties, even for a first time offender. If you do not know how to defend yourself, you could end up in jail with severe financial penalties attached. If you got a DUI charge after leaving a party, you are going to need help!
“He who represents himself has a fool for a client.”
Consequences for a DUI in Alabama
Alabama is fairly heavy-handed for driving under the influence, with several possible consequences for first-time and repeat offenders.
For a first-time conviction, you could end up in jail for up to one year. For a second conviction, you could end up in jail for up to one year (minimum 48 hours) and have to go through community service. If you continue to rack up the convictions, you could end up being charged with a Class C Felony which is a sentence between one year and ten years.
In addition to financial penalties and time served in jail, your driving record will be dinged as well; to that point, you could lose your license through suspension or revoking, and have a breath interlock device installed on your vehicle.
Driving Under The Influence Is Serious
We do not condone drinking-and-driving and you should never do it. However, we all have lapses in judgment and if you were charged with a DUI, you need to take the charges seriously. Even if you did not hurt someone (this time), you could have and the ramifications could be long-lasting (if not permanent).
For some, a DUI charge could cost them their job, their financial security, their loved ones, or the life of someone else (depending on the encounter). Do your best to avoid drinking-and-driving at all costs. If you end up with a DUI charge, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you navigate the minefield of laws regarding driving under the influence.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation with Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyer Tim Fleming
If you have been charged with a DUI in Alabama, you should contact me immediately. To speak with me confidentially, call me at (251) 304-0888 or use the online contact form.
