Searcy DWI Lawyer

Searcy DWI Attorney

A DWI is a serious charge that can have long-term consequences on your life. If you are charged with a DWI in Searcy, you should get in touch with a Searcy DWI lawyer immediately. No matter what happened when you were on the road, your charge can be a stain on your record that leaves you facing fines, jail time, and restrictions on driving. Your attorney can help fight for your rights and protect your future in the wake of your charge.

At Kevin Lemley Law Partners, we are committed to defending Searcy clients who are facing DWI charges. Whether you’re facing an aggravated charge or a minor first offense, we can carefully review the facts of your case and give you informed advice tailored to your needs.

What Is a DWI?

If you are charged with a DWI in Arkansas, you are being accused of driving while intoxicated. If you are over the age of 21, it is against the law for you to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher. If you are under the age of 21, then you can be charged with an underage DWI if you have a BAC of between 0.02 and 0.08 or a regular DWI if your BAC is above 0.08.

The state of Arkansas takes DWI charges seriously. If you operate a vehicle after you have consumed mind-altering substances like drugs or alcohol, you can endanger yourself, your passengers, and those on the road around you. Due to these risks, you can expect to face harsh penalties if you are found guilty of a DWI at any age.

After you are charged with a DWI in Searcy, AR, you will usually have to go to court. Your first order of business should be getting in touch with an attorney, as your DWI lawyer can negotiate on your behalf and stand up for you in the courtroom.

What Impacts a DWI Penalty?

The punishments you face for a DWI in Searcy will depend on the factors of your case. For example, factors that might impact your sentencing include:

• Previous Criminal Record: Whether this was your first, second, third, or subsequent DWI will influence how harsh your sentence will be. Those with several offenses in recent years could be charged with a felony, while first and second-time DWIs are often charged as misdemeanors.
• Your BAC: The amount of alcohol that was in your blood when you were operating your vehicle will influence how harsh your sentence is. Typically, if your BAC is 0.16% or higher, then your DWI will be considered aggravated and result in more extreme consequences. If your BAC is above 0.08% as a minor, you could face the harsher penalties of a regular DWI charge as opposed to an underage DWI.
• The Age of Your Passengers: If you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs with a child who was sixteen years or younger in the vehicle, you might face severe consequences.
• Contextual Factors: Events that unfold when you are arrested for a DWI can impact your punishment. For example, if you refuse to submit to BAC testing or harass your law enforcement officer, then you can expect harsh penalties.
• Damages: If you hurt or kill another person as a result of your actions behind the wheel, you can expect to face harsher punishments than you would with a minor DWI charge. In addition to criminal penalties, you could also face a civil claim, in which you could be held liable for the damages incurred by those you injured.

What Are the Penalties for a DWI in Searcy, AR?

The consequences for your Arkansas DWI will depend on your previous record and any aggravating factors that are present in your case. In general, the penalties include the following:

• Your 1st DWI Offense: You’ll have to pay up to $1,000 in fines and spend up to one year in prison.
• Your 2nd DWI Offense (within five years): You’ll have to pay up to $3,000 and spend up to one year in prison. You might also have to do 60 days of service in your community.
• Your 3rd Offense (within five years): You have to pay up to $5,000 in fines and spend up to one year in prison. You might have to do 90 days of service in your community instead of serving time in prison.
• Your 4th Offense (within five years): You will face a felony charge and have to pay up to $5,000 in fines. You might also have to spend up to six years in prison or do one year of service in your community.
• Your 5th Offense (within five years): You will face a felony charge and have to pay up to $5,000 in fines and spend up to ten years in prison. You could also spend two years doing service in your community instead of serving time in prison.
• An Underage DWI: If you are under the age of 21 years old and are charged with an underage DWI, you can expect to lose your license for anywhere between 90 and 120 days. You will likely also have to do community service work, pay monetary fines, and attend educational programming about alcohol and driving.

Along with each of the above penalties, you can also expect a period in which your driver’s license is suspended, as well as the mandated use of an ignition interlock device that checks your BAC before your car starts.

Why Do You Need a DWI Attorney?

If you are facing DWI charges in Arkansas, you could see harsh penalties. You should reach out to an experienced attorney as soon as you can so they can begin evaluating the factors of your case and what penalties you might be facing.

Depending on the context of your situation, you can either plead not guilty, and your DWI attorney can defend you in court, or you will plead guilty, and your DWI lawyer can negotiate a light sentence. Even if you believe yourself to be guilty, there are several DUI defense strategies that your criminal defense lawyer in Searcy can work on to fight for a positive outcome.

Searcy, AR DWI FAQs

Q: How Much Does a DWI Attorney Cost in Searcy?

A: The amount that you have to pay for a DWI attorney in Searcy will depend on the details of your case. For instance, if you are facing a first-time misdemeanor offense, then you will likely have to pay less than if you were facing a felony charge.

However, the more severe your charge is, the more critical it is that you have legal support. To learn a potential lawyer’s pricing structure and what your fees might be, you should schedule an initial consultation with them.

Q: Do I Need a Lawyer for a DWI in Searcy, AR?

A: Although you are not legally required to have a lawyer for a DWI charge in Arkansas, it is in your interest to reach out to one so that you have a stronger chance of a positive outcome. Your lawyer can strategically craft a strong defense strategy to help you dismiss your DWI charge or negotiate with the prosecution to fight for a light sentence.

Q: Can a DWI Be Dismissed in Arkansas?

A: If you’d like to have a DWI dismissed in Searcy, you need to hire an attorney as soon as possible. Your attorney can investigate whether there were any procedural errors or insufficiencies in evidence that could qualify your case for dismissal. Without the help of an experienced lawyer, you do not have a high likelihood of having your case dismissed.

Q: What Happens When You Get Your First DWI in Arkansas?

A: If you are charged with your first DWI in Searcy, you should consult with a DWI attorney. The extent of your penalties will depend on how severe your case is. For instance, your BAC, the damages, and any altercations with law enforcement officers might impact your penalties. Your attorney can help you determine your legal options and form a plan to minimize your consequences.

Q: How Long Does It Take for a DUI to Come Off Your Record in Arkansas?

A: If you are convicted of a DWI in Arkansas, it will be on your criminal record forever and on your driving record for five years. If you are trying to have a DWI charge dismissed before you are convicted, you should get in touch with a DWI defense lawyer. However, in some circumstances, it could be possible to have your DWI expunged from your criminal record.

Contact a Dedicated Searcy DWI Lawyer Today

If you are facing DWI charges, it is vital that you seek support from a criminal lawyer as soon as possible. With the right lawyer, you can fight even the harshest of charges. If you’d like to find out more about how our team at Kevin Lemley Law Partners can help you face your DWI charge in Searcy, AR, reach out to our office today.