Do I Need an Attorney For a DUI in Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma DUI law is among the most stringent in the country. The state takes a no-tolerance approach to drunk driving and imposes harsh penalties on those who are found guilty. If you are a driver in Oklahoma, police are permitted under implied consent laws to take alcohol-blood tests if they suspect you of driving under the influence. If you have even 0.05% blood alcohol content (BAC), you could face a drunk driving charge.
When coming up against Oklahoma law, you need fierce criminal defense representation to ensure that you do not receive a serious criminal conviction. A criminal defense attorney that has experience dealing with DUI cases will investigate your case thoroughly, speak with prosecutors, and build a strong criminal defense on your behalf.
At Cannon & Associates, our law firm has been handling DUI cases for over 30 years. Our DUI lawyers serving Oklahoma City, Moore, Norman, and surrounding areas are highly experienced in criminal law and have dealt with a wide range of criminal offenses, including DUI, DWI cases, federal crimes, drug possession cases, and much more. Our priority is ensuring that your constitutional rights are protected at all costs and that you do not fall victim to the criminal justice system in Oklahoma.
We are ready to be the Fierce Advocate you need for your DUI case.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation at 405-591-3935.
Oklahoma City DUI Lawyers at Cannon & Associates
When hiring legal representation, you want to ensure that you are receiving the highest standard of care possible. At Cannon & Associates, we strive to provide all of our clients with Fierce Advocacy, effective communication, strong representation, and compassionate care.
We know how scary it can be to face criminal charges and that a conviction can have a huge impact on your life. If you are feeling anxious about your DUI charges and want to ensure that you get the best result possible for your case, you should speak with our law office today. All of our lawyers are highly experienced with DUI law and have built hundreds, if not thousands, of defense strategies for our clients.
On our legal team, we have former prosecutors, Judge Advocates, experienced DUI attorneys, and lawyers that have been highly recognized by their clients and peers for their skills, hard work, and dedication to criminal law. Our managing attorney and former prosecutor, John Cannon, has been ranked as a Rising Star on the rating service Super Lawyers, due to his experience with law and dedication to clients.
Whether you are facing a serious felony DUI or a first-time charge, we want to ensure that you get the best results possible for your case. We guarantee to be responsive, available when you need it, fierce and dedicated to your case. Schedule a free case evaluation with our firm today to discuss your case.
Consequences of a DUI Conviction in Oklahoma City, OK
Being convicted of a DUI offense in Oklahoma can have serious consequences. You could face time in jail, hefty fines, license suspension, community service, and much more. A DUI defense lawyer can help minimize the penalties you receive by minimizing your criminal charges and building a strong criminal defense on your behalf.
Some consequences of an Oklahoma DUI conviction include:
- Loss of driving privileges – A DUI criminal conviction can result in your driver’s license being revoked for upwards of three years, depending on the circumstances. When arrested for a DUI, your driver’s license will be automatically revoked by law enforcement officers and reported to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. You must schedule an administrative hearing within the first 15 days to get your driver’s license back. Failure to do this will result in automatic license revocation for 180 days.
- Jail time – Both misdemeanor and felony DUIs can result in prison time. You could be faced with a lengthy prison sentence if convicted of a serious DUI offense. If you manage to avoid jail time, you may have to carry out community service, go on probation, attend alcohol and drug programs, or get an ignition interlock device (IID) installed on your vehicle.
- Insurance rates – Getting insured on a motor vehicle after being convicted of a DUI can be quite difficult. Most Oklahoma City insurance companies increase their insurance rates for those with DUI convictions. If your insurance company does not end its contract with you after a conviction, it will also likely raise its premium.
- Criminal record – Perhaps the most serious consequence of a DUI conviction is getting a criminal record. With a criminal record, it can be difficult to get a job, get accepted to university or college, get a loan from a bank, and apply for public housing. It is possible to get this record expunged however this can take up to five years.
Contact our DUI defense practice today to figure out how we can reduce your penalties and ensure that your life is not impacted by a DUI/DWI conviction.
Types of DUI Charges in Oklahoma City, OK
Under Oklahoma law, there are a number of different driving under the influence charges that can be brought against drivers. The type of charge you receive will depend on the circumstances of your case, the level of alcohol in your blood, and your age.
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI) – A DWI charge can be brought against individuals found drunk driving with a BAC of 0.05%-0.08%. As the BAC is lower for this charge, the penalties for a DWI conviction are less severe.
- Driving under the influence (DUI) – To be charged with a DUI in Oklahoma City, you must have a BAC higher than 0.08%. DUI charges can also be brought against those driving while under the influence of illegal drugs or prescription drugs. If you are required to take prescription drugs, you must ensure that you are not over the legal limit before operating a vehicle.
- Underage drinking and driving – Oklahoma takes a zero-tolerance approach towards underage drinking. Minors under the age of 21 can be charged with a DUI and lose all driving privileges if they are caught driving with a BAC of anything above 0.05%.
- Aggravated DUI charge – Aggravated DUI charges can be brought against individuals driving with a BAC of over 0.15%. As this type of offense is more likely to cause a road accident and serious personal injury, the penalties are much higher.
- Actual physical control (APC) – You can be charged with a non-driving DUI, or ‘actual physical control’ charge without even driving your vehicle. If you are found in control of your vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, such as sitting behind the steering wheel with the engine on or sleeping behind the steering wheel with the engine off, you can be charged with APC.
An experienced DUI defense attorney can help get your charges thrown out or get them reduced substantially. If you have been charged with APC, for example, a DUI lawyer will argue that you were not actually in control of your vehicle at the time of the arrest and that there was insufficient probable cause to warrant an arrest.
What Can a DUI Defense Lawyer Do For Me in Oklahoma City, OK?
The job of DUI lawyers in Oklahoma City is to ensure that your rights are protected at all stages during the arrest, case proceedings, and trial, and to ensure that you receive the most lenient sentence possible for your criminal charge. Some things that a DUI defense lawyer can do for your case include:
Investigate Your Case
When a DUI lawyer takes on your case, the first thing they should do is carry out an independent investigation. This should include assessing the blood tests or field sobriety test conducted by the arresting officer, examining police reports, consulting any witnesses to the scene, and assessing whether there were valid grounds to arrest you for a DUI/DWI.
Your DUI attorney will look to see if any of your legal rights were violated during the arrest process. Law enforcement officers are required by federal law to follow a strict process at DUI stops and when arresting suspects. If the police officer did not read you your Miranda rights or if any of your rights were violated, an Oklahoma City DUI lawyer will get your case thrown out.
Offer Legal Advice
Your DUI lawyer should, from the get-go, offer you sound and effective legal advice on your case. It is important to ensure when hiring a DUI lawyer that they have the requisite qualifications and experience to manage a DUI case. This means that they should have a degree from a reputable law school, recognition from peers and other clients, and experience working with criminal legal matters in Oklahoma.
It is important that your criminal defense attorney communicates with you throughout the case and keeps you up to date on court dates, motions, comments or decisions made by judges, and any updates on the case in general.
File Documents and Paperwork On Time
Time is of the essence in DUI cases and it is important that all of your paperwork and documents are submitted on time to the municipal courts. The criminal system can be difficult to navigate if you have no experience with the law and you may be under a severe amount of stress with your DUI case.
Your DUI defense lawyer will take over these worries and ensure that all documents are submitted to the court on time and that you do not face penalties for late submission. Additionally, you will need to file an administrative hearing to get your driver’s license reinstated within 15 days after your arrest. Your Oklahoma City lawyer can represent you in the hearing for your license revocation and ensure that everything is submitted on time.
Build a Strong Criminal Defense
In all DUI/DWI cases, it is extremely important that you have a strong criminal defense. A good criminal defense may be the key difference between you spending time in jail for your DUI and getting your charges dropped entirely.
A skilled DUI attorney will build a criminal defense based on the particular facts of your case and whether there are any legal issues present. Some examples of defenses they could use include:
- Inaccurate BAC test results.
- Police officers did not respect your rights during the arrest process.
- There was no probable cause for your arrest.
- You were prescribed medicine by a doctor and were not driving under the influence.
Contact our law firm today to discuss what defenses we could use in your DUI case.
Represent You in Oklahoma City Court
Most people charged with driving under the influence have been caught ‘red-handed’, meaning it can be difficult to try and fight these charges alone. With a DUI defense lawyer, they can first try to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecutor in charge. This would mean getting your charges reduced substantially and securing a misdemeanor conviction or suspended sentence.
If you are unhappy with this or your rights were violated during the arrest, a skilled DUI lawyer will fight your case in trial and try to get the charges thrown out or reduced by the judge. You will need to hire a lawyer that has experience fighting cases in court, such as the lawyers in our law firm.
I’ve Been Arrested For a DUI in Oklahoma City, What Should I Do?
If you have been arrested with a DUI charge in Oklahoma City, OK, there are a couple of things you should do to ensure that you do not incriminate yourself further and to ensure that you get the best results for your case:
- Comply with police orders – If a police officer pulls you over for driving under the influence, you should always comply with any orders they make. Ensure to listen to your rights being read, get out of the vehicle slowly, and not object to any legal requests they make.
- Take a BAC test – Implied consent laws in Oklahoma mean that you are required to take a blood or chemical test for your BAC if the officer has probable cause. Failing to take a test, for whatever reason, can negatively impact your case.
- Keep quiet – We recommend that you exercise your right to remain silent until you are in the presence of your lawyer. Anything you say may be used against you in court and even the slightest slip of word could result in a conviction.
- Call a DUI attorney in Oklahoma City, OK. – The next thing you should do is contact your DUI lawyer immediately. They will help you post bond, speak on your behalf, and advise you on how best to proceed.
- Request a DMV administrative hearing – It is important that you schedule an administrative hearing to get your driver’s license back within 14 days of your arrest. Your Oklahoma City DUI lawyer will help you with all stages of your criminal case and administrative case.
Contact The DUI Lawyers at Cannon & Associates Today
When arrested and charged with a DUI, many people ask ‘do I need an attorney for a DUI in Oklahoma City?’. The short answer is that yes, it is strongly recommended that you hire a DUI lawyer. The consequences of being convicted of a crime are severe. You may lose your driving privileges, be sentenced to jail time, have to pay massive fines, and have a criminal record. The consequences can be even more severe if you are convicted of a felony DUI.
An experienced DUI attorney can do everything in their power to protect your rights, minimize your sentence, and prevent you from receiving harsh penalties. At Cannon & Associates, our law practice has handled many DUI cases, and we have the skills necessary to win your case. Our criminal defense lawyers are experienced, compassionate, and highly recognized amongst their peers and by their clients. We have been serving Oklahoma City for over 30 years, and we always give equal importance to each case we handle.
Our law practice offers a free consultation for you to speak with an Oklahoma DUI attorney with no strings attached. We can advise you on the best options for your case and try to come up with a strong criminal defense on your behalf. Call us today to schedule a free consultation at 405-591-3935.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR OKLAHOMA CITY DUI DEFENSE ATTORNEY
DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY FOR A DUI IN OKLAHOMA CITY?
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?
