Best DUI Lawyers in Louisville

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Louisville, Kentucky?

  502-574-7111 is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Louisville.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Louisville, Kentucky?

  To obtain an accident or incident report from the Records Management in Louisville, Kentucky, you can email either lmpdaccidentreport@louisvilleky.gov or lmpdincidentreport@louisvilleky.gov depending on the type of report you need. In your email, you should include the report number (if available), your name, the name of the involved party (if not yourself) and your relationship to them, the date, and location of the incident. If the report is found, a copy will be sent to you. If not located, you will receive notification regarding additional information required or the reason the report cannot be released. Alternatively, you can call 502-574-6857 (between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday) for further assistance.

• What should you do if you are accused of a DUI in Louisville?

  When accused of a DUI, one has the option of submitting blood or breath for testing or refusing the test entirely. Documenting every aspect of the event and giving it to a DUI lawyer is crucial. If the examination reveals a blood alcohol level of .08 or above, or if the examination is denied, a hearing may be requested within seven days. Until the hearing, surrendering the license and obtaining a temporary permit is essential, and the hearing should occur within 60 days of the request.

• What is the legal BAC limit for drivers in Louisville?

  In Louisville, the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers is set at 0.08, which is the same as the limit in most states in the United States. However, for drivers under the age of 21, the limit is reduced to 0.02, which is a zero-tolerance policy in regards to underage drinking and driving. It's important for all drivers to be aware of the legal BAC limit and to avoid drinking and driving to ensure public safety.

• What is the 10-year "look-back" provision in a Louisville DUI case?

  In a Louisville DUI case, the 10-year "look-back" provision refers to the period of time during which prior DUI convictions are taken into account when determining the penalties for a current offense. If a driver is convicted of multiple DUIs within a 10-year period, the penalties become more severe with each subsequent offense. Furthermore, the provision prevents DUI convictions from being expunged for a period of 10 years, meaning that a DUI conviction will remain on a person's record for a decade, even if they are not convicted of any additional DUIs during that time.

• What are the penalties for a DUI in Louisville?

  In Louisville, the penalties for driving under the influence depend on the specific circumstances of the offense. For a first-time DUI offense, a driver may face a jail sentence of up to 30 days, a fine of up to $500, and a suspension of their driver's license for up to 120 days. However, repeat offenses and aggravated circumstances such as causing injury or property damage while under the influence can result in steeper penalties, including longer jail sentences, higher fines, and longer license suspensions.

• What are some potential defenses against DUI charges in Louisville?

  There are several possible defenses against DUI charges in Louisville, including challenging the accuracy of blood or breath tests, questioning the validity of field sobriety tests, and exploring any potential errors made by law enforcement. A thorough investigation by a qualified DUI attorney may result in evidence being suppressed, the DUI case being dismissed, or lesser charges being negotiated. It's essential to remember that each case is different and requires careful examination.

• What does a DUI charge involve?

  DUI, or driving under the influence, is a criminal charge applied to someone who is suspected of operating their vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, such as drugs and/or alcohol. Every state in the U.S. has a law on the books that bans driving while intoxicated; however, the specific criteria may differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In some states, a driver with blood alcohol content (BAC) in excess of 0.08% can be brought up on DUI charges while other states set a higher threshold or increase the severity of charges in accordance with the level of intoxication. In some cases, DUI is determined not via testing but by behavior; drivers who are intoxicated to the point of impairment and who cannot safely operate their vehicle may be arrested on suspicion of DUI.

• What's the difference between DUI, DWI, and OVI?

  The terms driving under the influence (DUI), driving while impaired (DWI), and operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI) are all legal phrases that refer to the crime of operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs (illegal or prescription), alcohol, or both. These terms are largely interchangeable though some states use only one acronym in their statutes for the sake of clarity. There are also other acronyms occasionally substituted for DUI, such as DWAI (driving while ability impaired), OWI (operating while intoxicated), OUI (operating under the influence), and DUII-CS (driving under the influence of intoxicants: controlled substances).

• How long does a DUI stay on your record?

  In addition to the more immediate penalties that come with a DUI conviction, this costly mistake can have other consequences. DUIs stay on your driving record for years with the exact length of time differing from state to state — the California Department of Motor Vehicles, for instance, tracks DUIs for 10 years and may use that information to determine things like license eligibility. In Alabama, DUIs stay on the record for five years while in Alaska they're permanent. In states that use point systems to track driving infractions, DUI points may stay on the record far longer than the DUI itself.

• How much does a DUI lawyer cost?

  The cost of a DUI lawyer depends largely on three things: geographic area, the lawyer's experience, and whether the case is settled quickly with a plea or ends up going to trial. Attorneys may charge a flat rate, more commonly used for simple cases that are likely to wrap up quickly, or they may charge by the hour, which can add up quickly if the case requires a lot of pretrial preparations and court time. Ultimately, a DUI lawyer could cost as little as $700 or bill in excess of $4,000.

• How do I choose a DUI attorney?

  Finding the right DUI lawyer is crucial, especially when it comes to preventing a suspended license and minimizing fees and other penalties. To choose the right one:

  • Look for attorneys experienced in DUI case law
  • Ask for referrals from family and friends
  • Check the internet for reviews, keeping in mind that no two DUI cases are exactly alike
  • Meet with prospective lawyers (many offer free consultations) to hear their perspective on the case and see whether their personality feels like a good fit
  • Ask whether the lawyer will be the primary representative or if the case could be passed to an associate and how many clients the lawyer/firm represents at one time
  • Discuss billing options — the difference between an hourly rate and flat fee can be considerable

• What happens when you get a DUI?

  Individuals detained on suspicion of a DUI are typically taken to jail, their vehicles impounded, and either held on bail or processed and released pending a court date. That initial court appearance is a chance to enter a plea; it's a good idea to retain legal representation prior to this hearing so they have an opportunity to argue for reduced charges or even dismissal.

  Drunk driving charges are often enough to warrant a suspended license pending the outcome of the case. A DUI conviction could mean losing that license entirely as well as paying fines, court costs, and DMV fees and paying for treatment or other intervention programs as instructed by the court — perhaps even completing jail time. These penalties tend to be less severe for first-time offenders and increase significantly thereafter.

• Can I contest a DUI without a lawyer?

  While it's possible to contest a DUI without a lawyer present, case law is complex, and navigating those laws can be tricky. A DUI lawyer can't guarantee a positive outcome, but they are in a far better position to make crucial moves, such as challenging the legality of the original traffic stop, questioning the officer-led sobriety tests, and introducing evidence that could lead to an exoneration. In short, it's tempting to save money by going it alone, but the consequences could be costly. Before deciding against a lawyer, take advantage of a free consultation and weigh their recommendations. If budget is a factor, there are court-appointed public defenders who may take on the case.

• How much does a DUI cost?

  DUIs are expensive. In addition to attorney fees that often run the gamut from $700 to over $4,000, there may also be bail costs, court-ordered fines, alcohol education courses, traffic school, DMV fees, the cost of increased insurance rate, fees associated with recovering an impounded car, and the possibility of paying for a court-ordered ignition interlock device. All together, the average cost of a DUI sits at around $6,500 not counting peripheral expenses, such as alternate transportation while unable to drive and lost income due to court dates and incarceration.

• When does a DUI become a felony?

  Driving under the influence is classified as a misdemeanor unless the DUI meets certain state-specific criteria such as:

  • It's not the first offense. Anyone arrested for DUI who has been convicted of driving under the influence previously may be charged with a felony, depending on the length of time since the last conviction.
  • The offender was driving without a license. Getting a DUI with a license that has been suspended, revoked, or restricted is a felony in many states.
  • The DUI resulted in someone else's injury or death. Some states cite bodily harm as one of the reasons to change a DUI from a misdemeanor to a felony.

• How much does car insurance go up after a DUI?

  Since car insurance rates are based on driving history and projected risk, it stands to reason that a DUI conviction will result in higher insurance rates. How much those rates go up depends on the state. In Colorado, insurance rates jump around 18% following a DUI conviction while North Carolina sees a median rate increase of more than 300%. To put that in further perspective, consider New Jersey; the state's average insurance rate is $1,419, but the average rate with DUI increases 132% to $3,292.