According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), every day, about 34 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes. It means that drunk driving kills one person every 42 minutes. In 2023, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths.
Operating While Intoxicated or OWI, happens when an individual is caught driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. An OWI charge carries severe penalties. OWI lawyer Chris Villemarette says most OWIs carry fines, a suspension of your driver’s license, and potential jail time, particularly if you have committed a driving-related offense in the past.
An OWI defense lawyer is helpful in cases involving drunk driving. They can check your case, find police errors, and see if the right steps were taken.
Find out in this article when a lawyer should be hired for OWI charges.
Understanding the Severity of Your Charges
If this isn’t your first time getting an OWI, expect to face severe penalties.
Understanding what kind of punishment you will get helps you know what to expect. The effects of an OWI get worse with each offense. If you think a plea deal will be enough, think again. It will significantly impact your life and criminal records for an extended period.
Drunk driving can lead to serious damages or even someone’s death. You could face more severe penalties. Personal injury attorney Frank Santini, Esq. says serious or catastrophic injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, or internal organ injuries.
If someone knows what will happen and how serious their situation is, they will be able to hire a skilled OWI defense lawyer who will fight for their rights and give them much-needed support.
Dealing with Complex Legal Procedures
OWI charges are overwhelming and complex. The proceedings become more difficult as you move from arrest to court hearings.
Learning many terms, deadlines, and rules can be difficult without proper orientation. An OWI defense lawyer knows these challenges and will assist in clearing the path.
The lawyer also manages all paperwork, so you don’t have to worry about deadlines or court. They will also explain your rights and choices in a manner you can understand, giving you a feeling of grounding.
Assessing the Evidence Against You
After analyzing the evidence, choose a defense. Start by analyzing your arrest report and press statements. Look for inconsistencies to clarify doubts or expose flaws that undermine the prosecution’s case.
Start disputing breathalyzer and field sobriety test results. The appropriate legal circumstances can always provide answers to these issues. Witness statements can strengthen or weaken your case.
Get surveillance recordings and photos too. Knowing the evidence’s strength can help you and your OWI defense lawyer decide what to do. An examination is necessary to decide how to proceed with the case.
Considering the Long-Term Consequences
An OWI charge has long-term ramifications, even if you simply consider the immediate effects. OWI convictions can affect insurance rates, career prospects, and reputation.
Most employers or landlords conduct background checks. Your chances of employment or getting a house will go down if these people find out that you have a criminal record. An OWI conviction can take away your driving privileges. You will have difficulties moving around if you don’t have a driver’s license.
These effects could last for years and hurt mental health and relationships. If you hire an experienced OWI defense lawyer, you might be able to avoid some of these problems and lessen their long-term effects.
Seeking a Plea Deal or Alternative Sentencing Options
Have you thought about what scope plea agreements or alternative sentencing might have in your particular OWI case?
These approaches may reduce the level of penalties, which might mean anything from less serious charges to some alternative program, like alcohol awareness training.
If you accepted a plea deal, you would not have to go to court, but you might get a lighter sentence. It’s possible that having an OWI defense lawyer negotiate for you will give you a favorable deal.
They will next analyze your case details and decide if pleading is great. Alternative sentencing may involve community service or treatment programs that focus on rehabilitation rather than out-of-state incarceration.
Always seek assistance from a qualified attorney in such matters.
