DUI/DWI
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) and other serious traffic violations require a good criminal law attorney or a dedicated DUI lawyer. Penalties increase for second, third and habitual offenders. You can lose your license, go to jail, pay a fine, perform community service, and have to attend safe driving classes if you are convicted of DUI or another traffic violation such as reckless driving or speeding. If someone was seriously injured or died because of your reckless behavior, penalties will be severe.
How a DUI Conviction Affects Your Insurance
Facts about insurance rates from a DUI law firm in Milwaukee
A DUI conviction for alcohol or drugs can send your car insurance rates skyrocketing. According to the Insurance Information Institute, an alcohol-related traffic fatality occurs in the United States every 45 minutes. Since insurance carriers are exposed to payments for auto accidents, they are very aggressive in dealing with DUI convictions.
Auto insurers watch your record
Auto insurers check your motor vehicle record when you apply for a new policy, and about once every three years while you are insured by them. If an insurer discovers a DUI conviction, they will automatically classify the insured as a high-risk driver. At the very least, the insurer will likely hike the insurance rate immediately upon discovery of a DUI conviction. More likely, the auto insurance policy will be cancelled or non-renewed, especially if the insured driver is in a preferred rate class. That creates a serious dilemma for the driver—having to shop for new car insurance with a DUI conviction and an insurance cancellation on record.
Those convicted of DUI must obtain an SR-22 form from their auto insurers. This form proves to the state DMV that the driver carries liability insurance. An SR-22 also requires the insurance company to notify the state DMV if it cancels the driver’s auto insurance for any reason. As a safeguard, the state will also require the driver to regularly provide proof of insurance for three to five years.
Not all DUI convictions are reported to insurers
The Insurance Research Council reports that 20 percent of convictions for traffic offenses never make it to state DMV records due to lack of information sharing between courts and the DMV. Convictions can also sometimes be erased by other means, such as attending a driving school.
DUI charges can be reduced as part of a plea bargain, in which case the insurer may never discover the conviction. However, an insurance company may still have a few years to raise rates if the DUI is discovered later. And not just for auto liability insurance. A DUI conviction can also affect the rates you pay for life insurance. You should contact a criminal law attorney in Milwaukee for legal representation.
Contact A DUI Attorney Immediately
Reach out to experienced Milwaukee DUI lawyers who will work hard on your behalf to avoid the consequences of conviction.
An effective DWI Defense
Hiring an effective law firm when you've been arrested for DUI/DWI is crucial. Lawyers must have a strong history of successfully representing clients and protecting them from serious penalties. An aggressive DWI defense team can;
- Have the courts dismiss erroneous charges
- Get vehicles released from impound
- Negotiate reduced charges
- Advocate against vehicle forfeitures
- Advocate against license revocations
- Help with license restoration
- Advocate cases before the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles
Penalties can sometimes range from loss of license to fines, community service and possibly up to two years in prison. The courts take these arrests very serious. DeMent Askew, LLP, Raleigh drunk driving lawyers, fight to have your case dismissed or limit all possible punishments.
Thorough assessment is paramount. Being familiar with the current DWI laws, the courts, and understanding how prosectors and administrators handle charges is very valuable. It's never to late to get the help you need.
New Hampshire Fines & Penalties For DWI
New Hampshire has been aggressive in lowering the DWI-fatality rates with rough and pitiless fines in an attempt to lower the tolerance for drunk driving. Here is a list of the fines and penalties one can expect if caught driving while intoxicated in New Hampshire:
- First Offense -- $500 minimum fine plus 24% penalty totaling $620; suspended license for nine months; completion of impaired driver intervention program.
- Second Offense (if within 2 years of previous DWI conviction) - $750 fine plus 24% penalty totaling $930; minimum of 30 days in jail; three-year minimum suspended license; 12-month period requiring ignition interlock device on vehicles.
- Third Offense -- $750 minimum fine; minimum of 180 days in jail; 28-day minimum stay at a residential treatment program; license suspended indefinitely. Punishment is greater if convicted of Aggravated DWI, such as driving 30 mph over the speed limit; causing an accident resulting in serious injury; attempting to flee a law enforcement officer; driving with a passenger 16 years or younger; or having a blood alcohol level (BAC) of.16 or higher.
If you need to contact a New Hampshire injury law firm reach out to the law offices of Rich Chamberlain.
