A person who has been arrested for a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) or DUI (Driving Under the Influence) for the first time may not understand what their options are and whether hiring a DWI Attorney in Hattiesburg MS, is actually going to be helpful. It’s important to consider the implications of a conviction as well as the possible defenses an attorney can provide to determine whether the person wants to take advantage of an attorney to help them.
Penalties for a First Offense
A person can be arrested if they have a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) over .08%, .02% if they are under 21, or .04% if they are driving a commercial vehicle. If it is the person’s first time, they face up to 48 hours in jail, fines of between $250 and $1,000, and a license suspension of up to 90 days. A DUI is considered a person’s first DUI if they have never been arrested and charged with a DUI before or if it has been at least five years since their last DUI. This is the washout period for Mississippi that denotes when a prior DUI is useable for sentencing.
How a DWI Attorney Can Help
A DWI Attorney in Hattiesburg MS, is going to start by reviewing the person’s entire case to ensure the person’s rights were upheld when they were pulled over and arrested. The charges might be dismissed if the person wasn’t legally pulled over or if there were any issues with the procedures during the arrest. This means they could have the charges dismissed if the BAC testing equipment was not properly calibrated or administered, if the police officer failed to follow procedures, or for other reasons. If the charges against the person are dismissed, they no longer have to worry about a conviction. Find more information.
A person who has been arrested and charged with a DWI can get the help they need by contacting a DWI attorney in Hattiesburg MS. Even if they believe the police have built a solid case against them and there won’t be anything the attorney can do, they might be surprised to learn there is a way to have their charges dismissed. For more information, contact Defense Attorney at T. Michael Reed today.
