DUI and Drunk Driving Lawyer in Huntsville
Consequences of a Drunk Driving Charge in Alabama
Convictions for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs in Alabama carry severe penalties. If you are arrested for DUI, do not attempt to handle your own defense. You need a drunk driving lawyer to protect your rights and build the most effective possible defense—in Huntsville, you need The Law Office of James R. Foley.
The penalties increase with each conviction
Even a first conviction carries significant penalties, including license suspension, a fine up to $2,100, and potential imprisonment up to one year. And although the first, second, and third DUI convictions are charged as misdemeanor crimes, the penalties increase significantly with each conviction—the third conviction includes mandatory jail time from 60 days to a year, fines up to $10,000, and license suspension for three years. A fourth conviction is charged as a felony. Offenders see mandatory jail time of at least one year and one day—up to 10 years. Fines can be over $10,000, license suspension increases to five years, and offenders must complete a state-certified chemical dependency program.
How a Huntsville drunk driving lawyer can help
Even when a blood alcohol test shows a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) above the legal limit of .08, experienced attorneys can build an effective dispute against the test results in a number of ways, including the following:
- Showing inexperience of the officer who conducted the test
- Indicating that results were inaccurate because of alcohol in the mouth, such as from use of mouthwash
- Establishing doubt that the testing equipment was accurately calibrated
Of course, contesting the BAC results is just one type of approach to building an effective defense. At The Law Office of James R. Foley, our Huntsville criminal defense law firm works closely with you to learn every possible detail that can help your case. Even if the evidence is stacked against you, we can use mitigating circumstances—or even a clean prior record—to negotiate for reduced charges or penalties on your behalf.
Reach out to an experienced Hunstville DUI lawyer today
To speak with an experienced, reliable, and effective lawyer in Huntsville, call 256-513-6396 or contact James R. Foley online today.
