Aggravated DUI Lawyers in Oklahoma City
Getting arrested for an aggravated drunk driving charge (DUI) is a serious offense. In Oklahoma City, there is a zero-tolerance law when it comes to drinking and driving. The penalties that you may be facing are quite severe. Including but not limited to; fines, time in jail, and possibly loss of your driver’s license.
When faced with such charges, you must contact a capable and talented Oklahoma City aggravated DUI defense lawyer.
Our team of DUI defense attorneys at Cannon & Associates has multiple years of experience when it comes to aggravated DUI charges. Our Oklahoma City DUI defense lawyers go the extra mile for all our clients, making sure that, when possible, we can minimize your criminal charges or get them dismissed entirely.
If you have been arrested and charged with an aggravated DUI charge, then get in contact with Cannon & Associates. Our DUI defense lawyers offer a free case evaluation for all clients.
Get in contact with us at 405-591-3935.
What is an Aggravated DUI Charge?
A DUI is classified as driving/operating a vehicle while being over the legal limit of alcohol or substance. The legal limit for anyone over the age of 21 is when your blood alcohol content (BAC) is above 0.08%.
An aggravated DUI is classed as a higher offense. This charge is given to people with blood with an alcohol content of over 0.15% at the time of the arrest.
Having this amount of alcohol in your blood when arrested doesn’t automatically elevate your misdemeanor to a felony charge. However, you will face extra penalties for the offense.
When charged with a first-offense DUI charge, you can receive a fine of up to $1,000, jail time, and points on your license. However, depending on the state you get arrested, these penalties may differ.
For example, in the Oklahoma City municipal court, the fines can reach a total of $1200.
A DUI lawyer in Oklahoma City will be able to explain the potential charges you may be facing.
The Difference Between a Felony and a Misdemeanor
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be charged with a misdemeanor or felony DUI.
A felony is considered by all states the harshest punishment for any given criminal charge. If you are facing a felony DUI, then you could be looking at much more severe consequences.
A misdemeanor is considered the lesser charge for any given crime. However, depending on the situation of your case, you could still face up to 6 months of jail time for a misdemeanor.
In either case, whether it’s a misdemeanor charge or a felony charge, we always recommend that you seek out capable legal assistance from an Oklahoma City DUI lawyer.
Fighting an Aggravated DUI Charge with an Oklahoma City DUI Lawyer
The best way to fight your criminal charge is to first call a team of capable DUI lawyers who have experience fighting DUI charges in Oklahoma City.
The lawyers here at Cannon & Associates know Oklahoma City law like the back of their hands and they have years of experience helping clients with aggravated DUI charges.
Some of the ways they could minimize your charges are:
- Checking to see if the breathalyzer used when you were pulled over was in any way faulty.
- Investigating whether the police officer conducted an illegal stop when pulling you over.
- Looking for improper police conduct.
These are just a few methods that an experienced Oklahoma City DUI lawyer will explore to minimize your charges.
What Are The Penalties For a DUI Charge in Oklahoma City, OK?
The criminal charges when it comes to an aggravated DUI can vary massively, depending on your case. An important factor in your case might be how high your blood alcohol content was at the point of arrest, whether anyone else was in the car with you, especially a minor, or if you damaged any public property while driving under the influence.
The main penalties that you can expect when charged with aggravated DUI can be seen below.
Fines are pretty much always given when not challenged when being charged with aggravated DUI. The fines can range up to $2,000 if the charge is a misdemeanor. Felony DUI charges can have fines that range much higher.
Community service can also be given for a DUI. Depending on your circumstances, you could receive up to 480 hours of community service.
If you have been charged with driving under the influence in Oklahoma City, then it’s best to obtain legal support from a DUI lawyer in Oklahoma City to fight your charges and have the best chance at minimizing your penalties.
First Aggravated DUI in Oklahoma
A first-offense misdemeanor DUI may result in six months in jail for municipal charges or up to one year in jail for a first-time DUI filed in state court. The maximum fine, by statute, in state court misdemeanor DUI cases is $1,000; however, the fines vary greatly in municipal court. In Oklahoma City municipal court a first-time DUI carries up to a $1,200 fine.
Aggravated DUI charges may carry additional penalties, including mandatory in-patient treatment for alcohol abuse for a minimum of 28 days and one year of aftercare following release from in-patient treatment, alcohol monitoring during probation, mandatory instillation of an ignition interlock device, and 480 hours of community service. Yes, 480 hours of community service is required for Aggravated DUI offenses in Oklahoma.
What are the Driver’s License Implications with an Aggravated DUI?
In addition to a criminal charge and case concerning an Aggravated DUI, you also will face an administrative process with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety “DPS” regarding your privilege to drive. Courts have determined that driving is a privilege granted by the State, not a right; therefore, the State can more easily take your driving privileges. You or your attorney must contact DPS within 15 days of being arrested for Aggravated DUI to request an administrative hearing to have a chance to retain your license. A DPS officer will determine at the hearing whether the Board of Tests rules were complied with by the officer that arrested you for Aggravated DUI. Our firm will request and conduct the hearing on your behalf if you hire us within 15 days of your arrest for DUI.
Your license will be automatically suspended on the thirtieth day following your Aggravated DUI arrest, if you do not request an administrative hearing within 15 days of your arrest. This rule applies to every person and to every case, unless a blood test was taken instead of a breath test or refusal to take the State’s test. When a blood test is taken following an alleged DUI, the 15 day clock runs once notice of testing over the legal limit is received.
Additional Penalties For an Aggravated DUI Charge.
Due to the higher blood alcohol content, you have exhibited in order to get an aggravated DUI charge, you may face additional penalties.
One extra penalty you may have to face is having to complete a 28-day in-person rehabilitation process. Which is designed to help you with stopping drinking.
Another example of the additional penalties includes having an ignition interlock device installed in your car. This device makes it so you have to use a breathalyzer to do a breath test before your ignition will start. This makes driving under the influence impossible if you are over the limit, your car will not start.
Do I Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer To Defend My DUI in Oklahoma City, OK?
The short answer to this question is yes.
If you have been charged with a DUI, DWI, or an APC charge and you want to help get your penalties minimized and your charge possibly dismissed, then the best option is to seek immediate legal representation from an Oklahoma City criminal defense lawyer.
Our criminal defense lawyers at Cannon & Associates offer a free consultation with any case or client.
How A Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You
In Oklahoma City, receiving a criminal conviction for drinking under the influence is always treated as a serious crime.
Prosecutions will always push for the highest charges against you and without a DUI defense attorney in Oklahoma City, you will receive the maximum fines, jail time, and other penalties they can give you.
A DUI defense lawyer can help you navigate through the Oklahoma law system easily, and can help your defense in the following ways:
Reviewing Your Case
Our Oklahoma City DUI lawyers have years of experience in helping Oklahoma City citizens with their criminal defense. We will properly and thoroughly go through your case to find any weaknesses or mistakes in the prosecution’s case against you. We will review all evidence and work hard to give you the best chance at minimizing your charges if not get them dropped completely.
Exploring Your Defense
When facing any type of DUI charge, DUI attorneys will do their best to find any type of weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. A talented DUI lawyer in Oklahoma City may find the following weaknesses in the prosecution’s case;
- The stop was unlawfully done by the police officer who arrested you.
- The breath test you did could’ve been done with a faulty breathalyzer
- The police officer may have acted with improper conduct.
In most cases, if the above weaknesses are found, your case will be dismissed altogether. This is one of the reasons why it is smart to obtain representation from a capable and experienced criminal defense attorney.
Contact Cannon & Associates an Experienced Aggravated DUI Defense Lawyer in Oklahoma
Any criminal charges should be treated seriously, whether it’s a misdemeanor or a felony DUI, the charge itself will last on your criminal record for the rest of your life, and can affect your home life, your work life, and may make life in the future harder in multiple different ways.
The best thing you can do to help yourself is to get in contact with a DUI attorney who has experience and knowledge of Oklahoma laws.
John Cannon is a Fierce Advocate for every client and will use his experience and respected reputation to do everything possible to reach the best possible outcome in your Aggravated DUI case. A conviction for Aggravated DUI or simply DUI may have long-lasting effects and penalties.
Cannon & Associates has fought hard and aggressively for years for citizens of Oklahoma City like yourself and will continue to do so. We have decades of combined experience to help you minimize your charges if not dismiss them altogether. So if you have been arrested for a DUI, DWI, or APC misdemeanor or felony charge, then help yourself by calling us at Cannon & Associates at 405-591-3935.
