Rhode Island Drunk Driving Defense Attorney

Rhode Island DUI - DWI - Drunk Driving Defense — A cultural stigma has become associated with drunk driving that was not present in our society even a decade ago. Public perception categorizes people charged with drunk driving as criminals, even before they have been convicted of any crime. Being arrested for drunk driving, driving under the influence (DUI), or driving while intoxicated (DWI) can be an unsettling proposition, to say the least. A DUI - DWI conviction in Rhode Island carries with it heavy penalties, including:

A permanent criminal record
Suspension or loss of license
Increased insurance rates
Community service
Possible jail or prison time
Alcohol assessment and treatment
Probation
Vehicle immobilization or forfeiture
Serious fines
Possible job loss

In almost every DUI-DWI case, a driver has two cases to contend with. The DUI-DWI arrest results in criminal charges, but what most drivers do not realize is that an arrest also initiates a civil proceeding against the arrested motorist’s driving privileges, commonly referred to as a Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) license suspension.

A DMV license suspension, which is also referred to as an Administrative License Suspension (ALS), is initiated against an arrested driver when he either refuses to submit to breath or blood testing, or alternatively, fails a breath or blood test. The legal authority to impose a DMV or ALS suspension against a driver lies in the Rhode Island
implied consent statute. The implied consent law states that each person who operates a motor vehicle on Rhode Island roadways has impliedly consented to provide a specimen of breath or blood if arrested for DUI-DWI and provided with the applicable consequences of refusing to submit to testing. Issues involved in a DMV or ALS license suspension hearing include the following:

Whether the law enforcement officer had reasonable suspicion to stop the driver
Whether the officer had probable cause to arrest the motorist for drunk driving
Whether the officer complied with Rhode Island
implied consent law in terms of offering an opportunity to provide a specimen of blood or breath
Whether the driver refused to provide a specimen of blood or breath or failed a breath or blood test by registering al alcohol concentration of .08 or greater.

If you have been arrested or accused of drunk driving, DUI, DWI, or any other alcohol-related criminal offense, you need to hire well qualified legal counsel

The selection of an experienced attorney is the first step towards regaining control of your life.

The conversation and my initial consultation is free

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