How Much Does a DUI Lawyer Cost in Oklahoma City, OK?
When facing DUI charges, the biggest worry you are going to probably have is money. How much does a DUI attorney cost, how much could the fines be, and will this affect my career?
These are all common worries.
If you have been charged with a DUI in the state of Oklahoma, and you have made the decision to fight the charges, you are going to need a skilled and experienced Oklahoma DUI defense lawyer.
It is possible to fight the charges alone, and without representation, but in all but the very rarest of cases, you are going to stand a much better chance if you seek aid from a good DUI defense attorney.
We can guarantee that defending your freedom, both financially and physically, as well as your livelihood and reputation, is well worth the cost.
Here at Cannon & Associates, we are fierce advocates for freedom and we will fight tooth and nail to ensure that you have the best chance of maintaining yours. Our Oklahoma City DUI defense lawyer’s top goal will be to have your charges thrown out and dismissed. If that is not possible, we will argue aggressively for them to be reduced.
If you schedule your free consultation with an experienced DUI lawyer now to find out your options and start the fight against your DUI case.
What Is a DUI?
In the state of Oklahoma, it is a criminal offense to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If caught, the police will perform a DUI arrest.
If suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, the police officer may perform a blood alcohol level test. If you are over the limit, you may face criminal charges.
Is Getting an Oklahoma City DUI Lawyer Worth the Cost?
Being convicted of a DUI can lead to hefty fines and a range of different penalties in Oklahoma.
Firstly, you will be looking at a mandatory DUI school if convicted. On top of that, there may be forced attendance to an alcohol rehabilitation program, long hours of community service, DMV fees, and potentially, a stint in jail.
Lastly, you will almost certainly be looking at monetary fines. The state of Oklahoma does not look kindly upon DUI convictions and any fines given will be harsh and severe.
Types of Fines for a DUI Conviction
There are several different types of fines that you might be ordered to pay. The first type is a criminal fine. This will depend entirely upon whether or not you already have a DUI charge on your record. For those that have no prior charges, you may have to pay up to $1000. If you have prior charges, particularly if you have more than two, that number rises dramatically.
In Oklahoma, you may also be looking at restitution charges. These are usually reserved for cases where the defendant has caused damage or injuries to innocent victims as a result of their intoxication while driving.
What can an Oklahoma City DUI Attorney do for you?
DUI lawyers have extensive knowledge of all of the laws and defenses relevant to your specific case. This means that an experienced DUI attorney in Oklahoma City will always provide a better defense than if you tried to defend yourself.
Here are some of the things that your legal representation can help you with:
Advising You When It Counts
Good DUI attorneys will be able to advise you on what you should, and should not say. This could protect you from making a costly mistake that gives the prosecution an advantage.
In the majority of cases, DUI lawyers will advise you against representing yourself and taking the stand on your own.
Knowledge of the Local Courts
Most people facing a DUI charge, have never been in criminal court before, and do not have extensive knowledge of the courtroom. This means they probably do not know the procedure you need to follow.
Your DUI defense lawyers not only know exactly what to do and what to say, they most likely have already dealt with the judges in your local court before.
Sometimes having dealt with a judge before will give your DUI defense attorney an advantage, allowing them to craft a more bespoke defense.
Filing Paperwork on Time and Following Legal Deadlines
There will be a lot of paperwork and numerous deadlines that you need to follow to the letter if you want the best chances of a favorable outcome.
Your attorney will know to request police dash cam footage on time and will be able to file any motions necessary in accordance with the deadlines.
They will also file all of your paperwork correctly and on time. While this may seem trivial, the courts will always look more favorably on those who file their paperwork on time.
Negotiate with the Prosecutors.
Your DUI attorney may know the local prosecutors and may have a previous relationship with them. This makes it more likely that they will be able to open up negotiations for a plea bargain if necessary. These prosecutors will not usually deal with defendants who are defending themselves.
DUI Expungement
Everyone makes mistakes, and here at Cannon & Associates, we believe that a person should not have the rest of their lives ruined by a conviction wherever possible.
If you have been convicted of a DUI in the state of Oklahoma, there is a process whereupon all of your arrest records, fingerprints, and photographs are sealed, becoming inaccessible to everyone besides law enforcement.
This process is known as expungement. Once records have been expunged, you are legally allowed to deny that it ever happened if you are asked in a job interview. It also means that your employer will not be able to find it when they run a background check on you.
Sealing DUI Records in Oklahoma
The process of obtaining an expungement is complicated and will require a skilled DUI attorney. If you are considering expunging a DUI conviction from your records, get in touch with our DUI attorneys here at Cannon & Associates.
Expunging a Misdemeanor DUI in Oklahoma
If your DUI case resulted in a misdemeanor charge, your chances of seeking expungement are high. The only obstacle may be the period of time that has elapsed since the crime or the level of fine that you received.
If your DUI case simply resulted in a fine of $500 or less, you could be eligible to have your case expunged immediately. If the fine was over $500, you will have to wait a minimum of five years from the second you paid the fine. In both cases, you must have no other misdemeanor convictions in the last seven years.
If you had a sentence that was deferred, you will be able to seek the expungement of your record one year after you would have finished your sentence. If you received a 1–year deferred sentence, you will be able to seek expungement 2 years after the date that sentence would have started for example.
If you served your time of the sentencing was suspended, you will need to wait 5 years from the end date of the time served. This is the full sentence time and is not affected if you served less time than the full sentence. If you only served 60 days of a 240 days sentencing, you will need to wait 5 years from the end of the 240 days, not the 60.
In all cases, you will need to have made sure that you paid all of your court costs and fees in order to seek expungement.
Expunging a Felony DUI in Oklahoma City
Felony DUI cases are much more severe and have much harsher and stricter requirements when it comes to having them expunged.
If you are seeking an expungement of a felony DUI, there must have been a period of 5 years from the last day of sentencing and you must not have been convicted for any other misdemeanor crimes in the last 7 years.
If you have 2 separate felony DUI convictions, you will need to wait at least 20 years from the last day of your sentencing and you must receive a pardon.
If you have 3 felony convictions then you will never be eligible for expungement, even with a pardon.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What exactly is driving under the influence (DUI) in Oklahoma?
A: DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence and can include both driving under the influence of alcohol and driving under the influence of drugs. It is defined clearly in Oklahoma State Statute 47-11-902.
If you are found to be “driving, operating or in physical control of any motor vehicle” while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you may face DUI convictions.
It states that a person can be found guilty of DUI if they, “drive, operate, or be in actual physical control of a motor vehicle within this state” while under the influence of alcohol.
Q: Is a DUI only for Alcohol?
A: No, driving under the influence can include driving while under the influence of mind-altering drugs too. This doesn’t just apply to illegal narcotics. If you are being prescribed medicine that states you should not drive, and you knowingly drive under the influence, you are committing a DUI.
Q: What will happen If I’m arrested for a DUI in Oklahoma?
A: If the police pull you over under suspicion of driving under the influence, they will usually ask you to submit a blood or breath test. If you refuse, or the test shows that you are under the influence, they will read you your rights and file an”Officers Affidavit and Notice of Renovation”.
This will mean that you cannot drive for 30 days following the affidavit. They will also most likely file criminal charges.
Q: Can I refuse a blood or breath test?
A: You do have the right to refuse a test but it means you will automatically lose your license. You will receive an automatic 6 month suspension as a result.
This is explained in Oklahoma State Statute 47-6-205.1.
Q: What can I do if my license is revoked or suspended and I need to drive for work?
A: If your job requires you to drive and you cannot work or access educational facilities, you might be able to seek a special license that allows you to drive under strict circumstances.
Under this license, you must agree to have an ignition interlock device placed on your vehicle that restricts the times you are allowed to drive.
Q: What if I am arrested using a commercial driver’s license (CDL)?
A: The restrictions and regulations placed on commercial truck drivers are stricter than with a normal driving license. This also means that the penalties are more severe and complex.
Arrest whilst using a CDL may result in prohibition from driving a class A, B, or C vehicle for 12 months if it is your first offense. For your second offense, it may be up to 36 months.
If you offend a 3rd time, you may lose your CDL license privileges for life.
Q: How much does a DUI lawyer cost?
A: The cost of your DUI lawyer will depend entirely upon the severity and complexity of your case. The more hours preparing your defense and defending you in court, the higher the fees will be. For simple cases, the fees will be lower. Most DUI attorneys will lay out their fees in the initial consultation.
Q: How long does a DUI stay on your record?
A: In the state of Oklahoma, your conviction will stay on record with the DPS for a period of 10 years and will remain on your criminal record forever unless you seek expungement of your criminal charges.
Expungement will mean that your court records are sealed to everyone except law enforcement.
Contact Cannon & Associates Today!
If you have been pulled over and arrested in Oklahoma, we highly recommend that you get in touch with one of the skilled and experienced DUI lawyers, here at Cannon & Associates. We have over 40 years of combined experience in cases just like yours.
We have fought tooth and nail to have our client’s cases thrown out, their sentences and penalties reduced and their records expunged. We are fierce advocates for freedom and we won’t give up until we have protected yours to the best of our ability.
We offer a free consultation for you to ask some questions and for us to lay out our attorney’s fees. Once you are comfortable with our attorney fees, we can get to work, building the strongest possible defense on your behalf.
Contact us today by calling to speak to a highly experienced Oklahoma City criminal defense attorney. It could be the most important call that you ever make.
Call us today at 405-591-3935.
