Providence RI DUI Lawyer

Drunk and/or drugged driving is referred to as DUI (driving under the influence) in Rhode Island. This is a very serious charge and not taken lightly by prosecutors and judges who wish to keep the public safe from traffic accidents. Like most states, the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) while operating a motor vehicle in Rhode Island is .08 percent. If your BAC measures that amount, you are considered legally impaired and will automatically be charged with DUI. However, you can also be charged in other circumstances, such as with testimony by the charging police officer that you were "under the influence" of any drug or alcohol regardless of your BAC or with any amount of a controlled substance in your system.

At The Law Office of Brett V. Beaubien, our Providence DUI defense lawyers can defend you against all DUI charges. It is important to remember that you are innocent until proven guilty. We recommend that you do not plead guilty until you have spoken with Attorney Beaubien, who can assess your case and advise you on where you stand and how he can help. Many avenues of investigation into your charges can be explored that could uncover flaws and weaknesses in the state's case against you. Only a well-trained criminal defense attorney will know what to look for and how to devise an effective defense strategy that could result in avoiding or minimizing the consequences. Arrange for a free case review with our Providence drunk driving defense attorney at The Law Office of Brett V. Beaubien by contacting us online or at (401) 427-4280 today. Hablamos español. Also serving clients in Bristol County, Attleboro, Norfolk County, Providence County & throughout Rhode Island & Massachusetts.

How you are charged for drunk and/or drugged driving will depend on several factors. These can include: Your BAC level; Whether it is your first or a repeat offense; If you were involved in a traffic accident; If you caused an injury; If you caused a death; If you have a high number of previous moving violations. For example, for the first offense with a BAC ranging from .08 percent up to .10 percent, you will face: Jail time of up to a year; Fines and fees of up to $800; 10 to 60 hours of community service; Loss of your license for 30 up to 180 days; Potential completion of a driving school program and/or an alcohol treatment program. If your BAC measured between .10 and .15 percent, you would face the same penalties as above, except your license suspension will be extended to three up to 12 months, and the driving school/alcohol treatment will likely be mandatory. For those whose BAC measured above .15 percent, fines and fees will likely increase to over $1,200. Second, third, and subsequent offenses will increase your penalties. In addition to these penalties, your auto insurance premiums will likely spike, and you will face the burden of having a permanent criminal record.

Being charged with a DUI is a serious matter, as a conviction can have lasting consequences. The most important factor is how quickly you can get an experienced DUI defense lawyer from Providence involved in your case. A DUI lawyer in Providence, Rhode Island, can use a probable cause defense against DUI charges. For a police officer to pull over a vehicle, they must have probable cause. If a DUI defense lawyer can prove that there wasn't probable cause to stop you, then the case may be dismissed.

Issues with the administration of field sobriety tests are a common defense against DUI charges. Rhode Island DUI lawyers are familiar with the procedure and protocol of field sobriety testing, and they can identify any issues to use as a defense against the charges. An experienced DUI lawyer can challenge the subjective nature of the test, the credibility of the law enforcement officer who administered it, and/or the accuracy of the results.

If you get arrested for drunk driving, the police officer is required to provide you with a Miranda warning. If the police did not give a Miranda warning, it can invalidate any statements you made to the police. In some cases, criminal defense attorneys can use rising BAC levels to defend against DUI charges. A toxicology expert can perform an analysis on available evidence to help determine your BAC level at the time of the arrest.

If you have been charged with a DUI, you are undoubtedly concerned with fees, license suspension, and potential jail time. If your license has been suspended, we will work aggressively to get you a hardship license if one is necessary for you to get to work, school, or medical appointments. If you are faced with fines that you cannot pay, our DUI attorneys will advocate on your behalf to get them lowered. If the results of your breathalyzer were shown to be inaccurate or faulty, or if the arresting officer did not follow protocol, we will work to have the charges against you thrown out. Give us a call or contact us online to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced Rhode Island DUI lawyers today.