Norman OK DUI Defense Lawyer
Each year, over 10,000 people are killed in road accidents caused by driving under the influence (DUI) throughout the United States. Because of this, the criminal justice system takes a strict approach to drivers who are caught operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
In Norman, law enforcement takes a particularly harsh approach toward DUIs, and state laws impose harsh penalties on those who are convicted. If you are convicted of a DUI in Oklahoma City, you risk losing your driving privileges, facing jail time, paying huge fines, and getting a permanent criminal record. To defend against your charges, and avoid harsh penalties, you will need to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
Here at Cannon & Associates law office, our DUI lawyers have the skills necessary to take on your DUI case in Norman, Oklahoma City. Our team of lawyers is highly experienced in navigating the criminal justice system and has dealt with thousands of criminal defense cases. We pride ourselves on having a wide range of legal experience, ranging from DUIs and drug-related offenses to family law and personal injury cases.
Schedule a free consultation with a criminal defense lawyer from our law offices today by calling 405-591-3935.
What Is a DUI Charge in Norman, Oklahoma City?
As per Oklahoma law, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Due to the high number of fatal road accidents that are caused each year by drunk driving, the state has adopted a tough approach to those found driving under the influence.
If you are over the age of 21, the maximum blood alcohol content (BAC) level you are permitted to drive with is 0.08%. If you are found driving with a BAC higher than this, you will be charged with a drunk driving offense. You can also be charged with a DUI if you are driving under the influence of drugs, including prescription drugs.
Aggravated DUI Charges
Aggravated DUI charges are brought against individuals that have a higher blood alcohol content of 0.15%. Having such a high BAC while driving is considered to be highly dangerous, and significantly increases the chances of a serious road accident happening. As such, the penalties for an aggravated DUI conviction are much more serious and you may be charged with a felony.
If you are convicted of an aggravated DUI you can face serious consequences such as jail time, huge fines, getting an ignition interlock device (IID) installed on your steering wheel, having to attend alcohol or substance abuse classes, and carrying out community service. Speak with an experienced DUI lawyer today if you have been charged with an aggravated DUI in Norman, OK.
DUI Charges for Underage Drivers
The laws for underage drivers in Oklahoma are generally a lot more strict. When it comes to driving under the influence, the law takes a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach. Drivers under 21 who are caught operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs will automatically get an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle and get face immediate license suspension. The legal BAC is also much lower for minors, and anywhere between 0.05% and 0.08% will amount to a DUI.
The zero-tolerance penalties also apply to minors who are caught doing the following:
- Being in possession of or using alcohol or drugs while driving.
- Acquiring alcohol by misrepresenting their age.
- Refusing to take a field sobriety test.
If you are a minor that has been charged with a DUI in Norman, OK, you should speak with a DUI lawyer as soon as possible. A conviction can majorly impact your life and may be used against you when applying to college or trying to find employment.
What Are DWI Charges in Norman, OK?
Many people confuse DUI charges with DWI charges as they are considered the same in many states. However, in Oklahoma, a DWI differs from a DUI in that it is considered less serious. A person in Norman can be charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) if their blood alcohol content was less than 0.08%. It is important to note that minors will still be charged with a DUI for a lesser blood count due to zero-tolerance laws.
Because a DWI is regarded as less serious, the penalties for a conviction are less severe. However, most DWIs are charged as misdemeanors and carry with them fines, time in county jail, and penalty points on your license. Our DWI lawyers can help ensure that you do not face harsh penalties for conviction and that it does not go on your criminal record.
Implied Consent Law in Norman, OK.
Like a lot of states in the US, Oklahoma follows the legal rule of ‘implied consent’ in relation to DUIs and DWIs. This law means that when you are pulled over by a police officer at a DUI stop or on suspicion of driving under the influence, you automatically give your consent to take a chemical test to determine your BAC. By obtaining a driver’s license, you automatically sign up for this implied consent law.
The police officer in question cannot conduct a chemical test without your permission or a warrant however refusing to take the test can result in serious consequences including:
- Driver’s license suspension – Refusing to take a BAC test will result in an automatic suspension of your license for six months. Even if you are found not guilty of a DUI, this suspension will still continue as it is separate from the criminal charges. An ignition interlock device may be installed in your vehicle in certain circumstances. A DUI attorney can help prevent your license from being suspended in this case.
- Warrant – Law enforcement officers have the option of seeking a warrant from a judge to carry out a BAC test. If this warrant is granted, you are not legally permitted to refuse and the police officer can use force to obtain the test results if necessary.
- Used in evidence – If you refuse to take a blood test, the prosecution can use this against you in your DUI criminal case. They will likely argue that you refused the blood test because you knew you were under the influence and did not want to get caught. The court does not require a positive BAC test to convict you of a DUI offense. However, an experienced criminal defense attorney can argue that your refusal to submit the test does not automatically equate to guilt on your part.
- Harsher penalties – If it turns out that you did have a high BAC and you refused the test because you knew you were under the influence, you may face harsher penalties due to your failure to comply with the implied consent laws.
Although for personal reasons or otherwise, you may not want to give a blood alcohol test to a police officer, it can be much easier to defend DUI cases when the driver complied with implied consent laws. By failing to give a chemical test, you risk getting your license automatically suspended for 6 months, which can be extremely stressful. You should speak with an experienced DUI lawyer if you are facing penalties for refusing to give a blood alcohol test in Oklahoma City.
Criminal Defense Strategies Our DUI Lawyers Can Use
Receiving a DUI conviction can have serious consequences and massively impact your life down the line. With a criminal record, you will face difficulty getting a job, accessing public housing, getting a loan from a bank, and applying to educational institutes. In order to prevent facing serious penalties or getting a permanent criminal record, you must put forward a strong criminal defense for your charges.
Some common criminal defense strategies used by the DUI attorneys in our firm include:
- The law enforcement officer that arrested you lacked probable cause.
- Your rights were not respected at the DUI stop.
- The police officer failed to read you your Miranda rights.
- Inaccurate blood test result.
- The DUI stop was unconstitutional.
- You were not driving under the influence and refused to give a test for personal reasons.
Regardless of your situation, an experienced criminal defense attorney will be able to argue to the court that your life should not be impacted by a simple mistake. A DUI lawyer that has experience managing cases like yours will fight tooth and nail to ensure that you do not receive harsh penalties and that your life is not impacted by a conviction.
Penalties For a DUI Conviction in Oklahoma City, OK.
The penalties for DUI convictions in Norman depend entirely on the circumstances of your case. There are sentencing guidelines in place that set out the penalties to be applied for DUIs including for a first offense, second offense, third offense, and subsequent offenses. The penalties get harsher depending on whether you have been previously convicted of a DUI or related drug crimes.
The judge will also take into consideration your BAC at the time of your test, whether you had passengers in the vehicle while driving under the influence, particularly minors, whether you caused property damage or personal injury, and whether there were any aggravating factors.
Misdemeanor Charges
First-time DUI offenses and DWI offenses are typically charged as misdemeanors, provided that there were no aggravating factors. The penalties for a misdemeanor are less than those for a felony conviction however you may still be sentenced to the following:
- Up to one year of jail time.
- Fines of up to $1,000.
- Revocation of your license for up to six months.
- Installation of an ignition interlock device.
Individuals caught driving under the influence are required to request an administrative hearing with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) regarding the suspension of their license. Failure to request a hearing will result in the automatic suspension of your license. DUI lawyers can help prevent your license from being suspended by petitioning the DPS on your behalf.
If you have no criminal history and no history of DUIs, a criminal defense attorney can try to defer sentencing for your case for a specific period of time. If you do not commit any further offenses within this time period, your case can be dismissed. It is important that you speak with an experienced DUI lawyer as soon as possible to ensure a positive outcome for your case.
Felony DUI Charges
Drivers who commit more than one DUI offense within a ten-year period are charged with DUI as a felony. Felony charges are much more serious than a misdemeanor conviction and carry with them serious penalties. If convicted of a felony, you will receive a permanent criminal record which is extremely difficult to expunge. This means that with just one felony conviction, you will face hardship for the rest of your life trying to access public housing, applying to school, applying for jobs, and more.
The penalties for a felony DUI conviction vary, depending on the level of seriousness and how many offenses you have been convicted of before. They range from:
- Fines of $2,500 up to $5,000.
- Jail time of one year up to twenty years.
- Revocation of your driver’s license for more than 3 years.
- Installation of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle.
- Community service.
- Court-ordered attendance at a drug or alcohol program.
Speak with a criminal defense lawyer from our law firm if you have been charged with a felony in Norman. They can build up a strong criminal defense on your behalf to minimize the penalties you receive and lower your charges.
Criminal Defense Team at Cannon & Associates
When coming up against serious criminal charges like DUIs, you want to ensure that you hire an experienced, skilled, and compassionate criminal defense attorney. Your attorney will need to investigate your case, assess whether there are any legal issues, build a strong criminal defense on your behalf, and do everything in their power to get your charges thrown out or reduced substantially.
At Cannon & Associates, we have a significant amount of experience in helping clients win their DUI cases in Norman and all throughout Oklahoma City. We follow a policy of Fierce Advocacy, meaning that we will do everything in our power to ensure a positive outcome for your case. We prioritize effective communication with our clients and ensure to always keep them updated on the ongoings of their cases.
Our legal team has a diverse range of experience; we have Judge Advocates, former prosecutors, and most importantly, highly experienced criminal defense attorneys who are ready to fight your case. Our lead attorney, John Cannon, has an AVVO score of 10.0 based on peer recognition, experience, and client reviews, and has been ranked as a Rising Star on the rating service Super Lawyers.
All of the criminal defense lawyers on our team are highly regarded for their dedication to clients and their abilities to achieve excellent results in every case. If you want to be represented by a DUI lawyer that understands how the criminal system works, has the skills necessary to win your case, and is highly regarded by fellow clients and peers, you should schedule a free consultation with our law offices at Cannon & Associates today.
Speak With a Norman OK DUI Defense Lawyer From Cannon & Associates
If you have been charged with a DUI or DWI in Norman, OK, you should consult with an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal convictions can be life-altering and a felony conviction will stay on your record for the rest of your life. Even with a misdemeanor, you may have to spend time in jail, pay huge fines, and get your license revoked.
At Cannon & Associates, we have a team of DUI and DWI lawyers who are ready to help you fight your case. Our law office has been serving the citizens of Norman for over 30 years and we have the skills necessary to win your DUI case. Our criminal defense team has built up a strong attorney-client relationship based on our dedication to clients and our Fierce Advocacy in each and every case.
Our law offices offer a free consultation where you can discuss your case with a DUI attorney with no strings attached. You can then decide whether we are the legal team you need to win your Norman DUI case.Call today to schedule a free consultation at 405-591-3935.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR OKLAHOMA CITY DUI DEFENSE ATTORNEY
WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS IF I GET PULLED OVER FOR A DUI IN OKLAHOMA CITY?
WHAT IS THE IMPLIED CONSENT LAW IN OKLAHOMA?
CAN I PLEA BARGAIN A DUI CHARGE TO A LESSER OFFENSE?
CAN I GET A DUI IF I’M ON PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION?
CAN I GET OUT OF A DUI IN OKLAHOMA?
HOW CAN I FIND THE BEST DUI LAWYER IN OKLAHOMA?
HOW MUCH DOES A DUI LAWYER COST IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OK?
