DUI Lawyer in Nampa 

If you have been arrested for a DUI in Nampa, Idaho, you should be prepared to deal with two separate issues. The first will be the automatic license suspension which will be initiated by the Idaho Department of Transportation. This will kick in because when you get your driver’s license, you commit to driving while following the laws of your state. Failure to do so can result in a license suspension. When you are charged with a DUI, you have, in essence, failed to comply with the laws of your state. This is something you need to know, and you also need to know that you will have seven days to appeal this suspension. This is yet another reason why you should hire an Idaho DUI lawyer immediately to deal with this, as the last thing you need is another legal issue on top of your DUI charge.

The second thing you need to deal with is your DUI charge and the possible penalties. A short summary of what could happen is as follows:

For your first DUI charge where you take the breathalyzer test, blood test or urine test and have failed, your license will be suspended for 90 days. In most cases, there will be no fine. However, if you have refused to take the test, your license will be suspended for a year, and you will have to pay a fine of $250.

If you have a second DUI charge within five years and take the breathalyzer test, blood test or urine test and fail, your license will be suspended for a year. If your second DUI offense is within ten years, but you refuse to take the required tests, your license may be suspended for two years with a fine of $250.

There can be additional criminal penalties depending on the circumstances of your case. The following is an overview of the maximum criminal penalties for a DUI charge:

If this is your first DUI offense and if your BAC level was 0.08 or above but below 0.20, you may get jail time of 180 days, two years’ probation, a $1000 fine, and a 180-day license suspension. However, if it is your first DUI charge but your BAC level is 0.20 or above, the penalties are more serious. There could be possible jail time for up to a year, two years’ probation period, fines up to $2000 and a 1-year license suspension.

If you have a second DUI charge within a ten year period and if your BAC level is 0.08 or above but below 0.20, you can get up to 1 year jail time, $2000 fine and a 1-year license suspension. Your probation period will be determined by the court based on the circumstances of the case. If your 2nd DUI is within a ten year period, but your BAC level is 0.20 or above your license may be suspended for five years, you may be given up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $5000.

Third and any subsequent DUI charges within a ten year period with BAC levels of 0.08 or greater can result in a 10-year prison sentence with $5000 in fines and a 5-year license suspension.

These criminal penalties can be even more serious if you were in a car accident while driving drunk and if someone was seriously injured.

Depending on the extent of injuries and other evidence, you can receive a jail sentence of up to 15 years, fines up to $5000, and license suspension for up to 5 years.

Can I Defend Myself without a DUI Lawyer?

You may think that a DUI charge in Nampa, Idaho, is easy to handle, but that is where you are truly mistaken. Of course, you have the right to represent yourself, but the important question is: is that decision in your best interests? DUI is considered to be a very serious offense. Penalties can be very steep, and things can become even more complicated if your BAC levels are too high or if, while in a drunken state, you get into a car accident. If there are serious injuries or fatalities, your case can become complicated very fast. A Nampa DUI attorney will be in a much better position to defend you because they know the law and they are familiar with the legal process of defending a client against DUI charges.

If you do not have a DUI attorney, you will make it easy for the prosecutor to get a conviction. In addition, if a plea deal is offered to you, an average person is generally not equipped with the necessary knowledge to determine if the deal is fair or not. Let’s be real. When you’re facing DUI charges, your biggest desire is to make it go away. A plea deal may give you the impression that once you agree and sign it off, everything will be gone. But that may not be the case.

If you have a DUI lawyer, they can evaluate the deal, and they can negotiate something better for you, if possible. Plea negotiation is a complicated process and requires significant skill and knowledge about the system. Depending on the circumstances of your case, your DUI may be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. If a repeat offender is involved and/or if the DUI resulted in a serious car accident, your DUI charges can turn into a felony, and you will face harsh penalties. You will need representation both at your administrative license suspension hearings as well as criminal court proceedings if things go that far. You need someone who has the necessary skill and expertise to ensure your freedom. A DUI defense lawyer is thus your best bet.

If you have been charged with a DUI, contact a DUI attorney immediately. Your DUI lawyer will be able to obtain and evaluate the results of your field sobriety test, breathalyzer test and blood and urine test as well as go through the initial testimony, the police reports and any other evidence that is relevant to your case. Keep in mind that a DUI case can involve a number of elements and only a lawyer can determine how to handle the evidence and how to present an argument which will ensure minimum damage and minimum penalties.