Have you been arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Northern Kentucky? If so, Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, can help. We know you are probably feeling ashamed and in shock right now, unsure of next steps. It is understandable that you are worried about the impact this will have on your life, including your job, your family, driving privileges, and even whether you will have to serve jail time. These are legitimate concerns because a DUI is a very serious crime.
However, there is hope. Before any of your concerns can happen, you have to first be convicted. That is where our criminal defense law firm can make all the difference. The sooner you get in touch with us, the sooner we can begin working on a defense strategy. At Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, our Northern Kentucky DUI lawyers are known for providing a strong, aggressive defense for our clients who have been charged with a DUI.
Do not submit to questioning or accept a plea bargain without first consulting with us. Your initial consultation is free, so contact us immediately. We proudly serve the Northern Kentucky region, including Kenton County, Campbell County, and Boone County.
Table of Contents
How Can a Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Criminal Defense Attorney Help After a DUI in Northern Kentucky?
If you are facing criminal charges for driving under the influence, hiring an experienced Northern Kentucky criminal defense lawyer at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers can be a game changer.
Ensure Due Process
Our lawyers will make sure you receive due process under the law. This means we will hold the prosecution accountable for respecting and adhering to all the rights guaranteed to you as a citizen of the United States. We will protect you from having your rights violated by the state in their zeal to get a conviction. If there appears to be a violation of your rights, we will not hesitate to pursue the matter with the judge and do everything we can to ensure the prosecution is sanctioned or cautioned against stepping out of line.
Investigate Your Case
Our defense attorneys will immediately swing into action and independently investigate aspects of your charges such as analyzing the blood or breathalyzer test that was performed upon your arrest. We will also carefully review all police reports, talk to witnesses in the police report as well as any others, and work with forensic evidence experts to begin building a strong defense for you. This is just the tip of the iceberg. We will leave no stone unturned in identifying any possible evidence that can assist us in building your defense.
Represent You in Negotiations and in Court
With an experienced and tenacious lawyer on your side, you will be well-represented at all times. We handle all negotiations with the prosecution so they do not have a chance to offer you an unfair deal that is not in your best interest. And if your case goes to trial in district court, you will have all the resources of our law firm behind you. Our goal is to help you avoid a conviction. In the alternative, we will argue for a better plea bargain or a reduction in any penalties.
Put Our Experience to Work for You
Our attorneys know all the ins and outs of DUI law in Kentucky. We have in-depth, extensive knowledge of DUI law. This means that we know how to get you the best results because we have represented countless DUI clients and we are aware of any and all possible obstacles that may arise as we proceed with your case.
We also make ourselves available to you to discuss progress on your case or answer any questions you may have. Keeping our clients informed and aware of the legal complexities and the steps we are taking is important to us. We know it sets your mind at ease when you have a good sense for what is happening and why. In addition, as your private counsel, we can attend routine legal proceedings on your behalf, preventing you from missing work and exacerbating the impact of the DUI on your busy life.
Kentucky DUI Law
Under Kentucky law, motorists are expressly prohibited from driving or being in physical control of a vehicle in certain situations:
- With a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or greater. If the driver was operating a commercial vehicle, then the BAC is .04%
- While under the influence of alcohol, controlled substance, or a combination which impairs the driving ability of the person, or
- With any amount of some specifically listed illicit substances such as cocaine or methamphetamine in the blood
If the BAC of .08% or more is violated, it is regarded as a “per se DUI.” This can lead to a conviction regardless of the driver’s impairment level.
Other aggravating factors that can lead to possible jail time and other penalties include:
- Refusing to take a breath, urine, or blood test
- Driving when your blood concentration is .15 or higher
- Causing an accident which results in serious injury or death
- Transporting a child under 12 years old while under the influence
- Driving in the wrong direction on a restricted access highway or driving 30 miles/hour above the speed limit.
If you are facing DUI charges, contact us at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers for a free consultation today. Our criminal defense attorneys know their way around the complex DUI laws in Northern Kentucky and we can help you address the many legal issues that may arise in a drunk driving case.
The Northern Kentucky DUI Arrest Process
A potential DUI charge begins the moment a law enforcement officer in Northern Kentucky spots a driver who has made a traffic violation or who shows some indication of being under the influence such as swerving across lanes. Once the officer pulls the driver over to the side of the road, the officer looks out for outward signs of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol such as slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and the smell of alcohol.
The driver may then be asked to perform some field sobriety tests and possibly a blood or breathalyzer test to determine blood alcohol content. Note, since Kentucky has implied consent laws on the books, you can’t deny the request to submit to testing. At least, not without facing major consequences for doing so.
Typically, breath tests are considered less reliable than blood tests and results can often be skewed due to issues such as infrequent calibration. A good criminal defense attorney knows to look for these mitigating factors and use it to argue against the results of the breath test.
While blood tests are generally more reliable, they too can be faulty depending on whether the tests were administered unprofessionally or handled improperly.
Understanding the elements involved in a DUI arrest and criminal offense charge in Northern Kentucky is of critical importance in determining the best defense strategy. This is all the more reason you need the decades of experience and successful track record of Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers. One flaw we catch or in your arrest can change the course of your case.
Penalties Associated with a Northern Kentucky DUI Charge
The law takes a DUI conviction very seriously but tries to be fair in taking into account any mitigating circumstances and whether you have committed such an offense before. If you are charged with a Kentucky DUI, you may be facing some of the penalties listed below:
- First DUI: If this is your first DUI within 10 years, the penalty is $200 to $500, 48 hours to 30 days in jail (this could be community service), license suspension for 30-120 days, and substance or alcohol abuse treatment program.
- Second DUI: If this is your second DUI within 10 years, penalties include $300 to $500 in fines, seven days to six months in jail or 10 days to six months of community service, substance or alcohol abuse treatment program, mandatory ignition interlock device for a period of a year, and license suspension of 12 to 18 months.
- Third DUI: If this is your third DUI within 10 years, $500 to $1000 in fines, 30 days to 12 months in jail or 10 days to 12 months of community labor, substance or alcohol abuse treatment program, mandatory ignition interlock device for 30 months and suspension of license for 24-36 months.
- Fourth or Subsequent DUI: If this is your fourth, fifth or subsequent DUI, it is considered a Class D felony. Penalties include one to five years imprisonment, treatment program for substance or alcohol abuse, suspension of license for five years without hardship license option, and the mandatory ignition interlock device for 30 months.
Regardless of whether this is your first or fifth DUI, we know how to handle the situation and will do everything we can to help ensure you receive fair treatment under the law. We represent clients facing both misdemeanor and felony DUI charges, so call our Northern Kentucky law office to get us in your corner today.
Get a Trusted Northern Kentucky Defense Lawyer On Your Side
With combined experience of over 100 years, the criminal defense lawyers at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, LLC, have what it takes to help you through this situation. Trust your case to us. Call and set up a free consultation with us today. We will sit down with you to learn more about your arrest and begin considering an effective defense strategy.
