DUI / DWI laws have gotten tougher across the country in recent years – the legal limit is now .08 percent blood alcohol content (BAC) in all 50 states. DUI / DWI punishment has increased, and jail sentences, higher fines, increased car insurance premiums, longer driver's license suspensions, mandatory alcohol education programs, and ignition interlock devices are common penalties.

However, these DUI / DWI penalties can be avoided or minimized with the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney who concentrates on DUI / DWI defense. A skilled lawyer will seek to challenge every bit of evidence in a drunk-driving case, dismantle the prosecutor’s case, and try to create reasonable doubt in the accused driver’s guilt.

In most states, DUI / DWI is a unique offense that generates two separate cases: A court case that can result in fines, penalties and jail time, and a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) hearing that can lead to the suspension or revocation of the driver's license.

Although it seems as if this two-pronged attack would violate drivers’ constitutional protection against "double jeopardy", the two cases are allowed because the DMV case is considered an administrative action, not a criminal case. Even so, many criminal defense attorneys who focus on DUI / DWI / drunk-driving defense consider drunk-driving law to be the "exception to the Constitution."

The good news is that the Department of Motor Vehicles’ administrative action also can be challenged. Although a DMV hearing is a complex and technical procedure, a skilled DUI / DWI criminal defense attorney will attack the evidence at a DMV hearing and fight to protect the driver’s license.

Drunk-driving defense is a complex and technical area of the law. Let one of the qualified DUI LAWS attorneys find a solution to your legal problem. Contact a DUI LAWS lawyer near you for a free consultation