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Birmingham DUI Lawyers

• Lakeman & Peagler: There are many ways to defend a DUI charge, including challenging improper arrest procedures or sloppy evidence handling, and whether the breathalyzer or blood test was correctly administered. We will examine and evaluate every aspect of your DUI arrest that can possibly be challenged or suppressed. We will also meet directly with the prosecutor on your case, seeking ways to minimize your penalties or to reduce the impact of a conviction. Not only does a DUI carry serious penalties under the law, it can affect your family relationships and employment opportunities.
• Steven Eversole: Field sobriety tests are very inaccurate.  The tests are completely subjective and should not be used as proof of guilt in any court proceeding.  Has anyone ever passed a field sobriety test in Alabama?  I doubt it.  If the cop wants to arrest you, you can bet the night in jail that your performance on a field sobriety test will make little difference.  Apparently, cops are like superman, they have laser vision.  They are able to discern an inch difference in the placement of your feet on a dark highway with little to no light,  and are able to stand on one foot while counting for 30 seconds at a time, without ever moving a muscle or slightly adjusting their leg.  I don't know about you, but standing on one foot for thirty seconds is hard to do at all, sober or not.  Don't believe me, try it.  Make sure your foot does not touch your leg or almost touch the ground, and make sure you don't sway too much while doing so either.  I have heard all these grounds used as a cops reasoning to arrest someone for DUI.  As I have said on this blog several times, do not take a field sobriety test.
• Simms & Asssociates: A DUI conviction will follow you wherever you go in life. It can affect your freedom to drive, your insurance rates, and maybe your ability to find employment. For this reason, you should take the opportunity to defend yourself. You are entitled to a vigorous defense from a knowledgeable DUI attorney.
• Gulas & Stuckey: A DUI charge and conviction can quickly complicate a person's life. Since all DUI convictions carry some jail time, even if you've never been convicted before, you could face a few days in jail. Assess your driving record, the circumstances surrounding your arrest, and determine the best course of action for minimizing the impact of a DUI charge. When evidence is not in question, explore alternatives to jail time with the prosecution, suggesting community service, alcohol abuse counseling, and other less severe penalties. Depending on the nature of your offense, our DUI attorneys are often able to have the charges against you reduced or your record expunged in order to prevent your arrest resulting in increased insurance premiums. Before you lose your license or face additional complications from a DUI charge, contact a defense lawyer.   I'm Sure I Wasn't Drunk - Challenging the Evidence Breathalyzers, like any machine or technology, are not fool proof. Depending on whether the breathalyzer used was maintenanced regularly, calibrated, and used properly, the results obtained in the field can be inaccurate. Request a copy of the history and maintenance of a breathalyzer to determine if there is good reason to suspect its readings were wrong. Additionally, when a blood test is given, we ask that an independent lab conduct its own test on whatever samples were collected from our client. Since blood test kits involve the use of preservatives, vacuum tubes, and a proper mixture of the sample, there is a chance the sample collected from you was tainted or cannot be trusted. Avoiding the Loss of Your License In Alabama, you have only a limited number of days to challenge the charges against you. If you fail to respond appropriately or in a timely manner, your DWI charge will result in an automatic suspension of your license.
• Bryant Lewis: After a DUI/DWI charge, you must act quickly. You have only ten days to contest your driver's license suspension. You need to get a lawyer who can call for an administrative hearing and get your license back. And then, of course, a lawyer can immediately begin work to get you freed from serious fines and possible jail time. Just a first DUI/DWI conviction in Alabama can mean up to one year in jail. You do not deserve such a severe punishment, and, depending on your case, a good lawyer can get you an alternative penalty or get you freed entirely.
• Guster Law Firm: Any arrest is a serious matter. It is important to get representation early so that rights can be protected. It is also very important to not say anything to any law enforcement, security personnel, or anyone else unless your attorney gives you permission to do so.
• Jefferey Dummier: Alabama DUI Lawyer Even a first-time DUI conviction can seriously affect your life. It can result in a heavy fine, increased insurance premiums, and if it is not handled properly, even a jail sentence. With a prior conviction, the matter is even more serious. If you have been arrested for DUI, you need an experienced Alabama DUI lawyer who can minimize the effect of the arrest on your life and your record.
• Bobby Bell Jr.: Many people have a minor scrape with the law at some point in their life. At a time like that they need an understanding and competent attorney to protect their rights and guide them throughout the criminal justice system.
• Victor Kelley:

  If you are accused of a crime, you want a lawyer who:

  • Understands the law
  • Is not afraid of defending you in the courtroom
  • Is competent to negotiate a favorable settlement on your behalf
  • Has the knowledge, experience, and resources to provide you with the best defense possible

  Knowledge is power and you should learn everything you can before making what could be the most important decision of your life - choosing a lawyer to defend you against a serious criminal accusation.

• Buttram & Henderson: If you are charged with drunk driving (DUI), you face additional consequences, including loss of your driveršs license and court-ordered alcohol treatment. Drunk driving is NOT a minor traffic offense. It is a serious criminal charge, and you need an experienced and aggressive DUI defense attorney.
• Polson & Robbins: NOT GUILTY!! The words you want to hear. A DUI arrest is not a conviction!
• Mari Morrison:

  ARE YOU, A FAMILY MEMBER OR A FRIEND FACING A CHARGE FOR DUI?

  Hiring an experienced attorney can be the most important decision you make. You need to know your rights! DUI is a serious offense with severe consequences!

  1 ^ST DUI Conviction - Jail not more than 1 year or a Fine of $600 to $2,100.

  2 ^ND DUI Conviction - 48 hours Jail up to 1 year and a Fine of $1,100 to $5,100.

  3 ^RD DUI Conviction - 60 hours Jail up to 1 year and a Fine of $2,100 to $10,100.

  4 ^TH DUI Conviction - FELONY: prison 1 year and a day up to 10 years and a Fine of $4,100 to $10,100.

  Mandatory attendance at an alcohol education program and revocation or suspension of driving privileges is required with all convictions for DUI.

  You need to be informed as to any defenses you may have. Investigation should be made of the purpose for the traffic stop, field sobriety tests given, breath alcohol level, etc. Blowing a .08 or greater reading is required under Alabama law to be considered under the influence of alcohol. Was the person administering the test qualified? If not, the results are deemed invalid. Knowing how to proceed and discover this information can make the difference for you!

  For any prior DUI convictions were you represented by an attorney or was that right knowingly waived? The failure to have been afforded due process in a prior conviction for a DUI may render that conviction invalid for enhancement purposes.

  It is important that your attorney be knowledgeable of the courts, judges and prosecutors that you may face.

• Jaffe, Strickland & Drennan: A misdemeanor is a crime normally punishable by less than a year in a jail.
• Perry Jackson: Anyone looking for legal representation in the state of Alabama should be aware that not every attorney licensed to practice in Alabama have actually graduated from an accredited law school.
• Jeffrey Bramer: A driver's license is a must in today's society. Protecting your privilege to drive is becoming increasingly more challenging to the legal professional. Fines and jail time are on the rise and you should seek legal representation if you are charged with DUI.
• Michael Hanle:

  Although it may have many names, including driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), operating under the influence (OUI), drunk driving, and drunken driving, operating a car after using or while using alcohol and drugs is a serious matter. As the name varies, so do the laws in each state concerning DUI/DWI (which is how it will be referred to in this application). However, there is one constant: it can cause serious injuries or death, and it is against the law. Following are answers to some common questions that arise in DUI/DWI situations.

  How serious is DUI/DWI?

  DUI/DWI is a serious problem. Thousands of Americans are killed each year in DUI/DWI accidents. Although many of those accidents result in the death of the intoxicated party, a significant and unfortunate number involve the death of "innocent" parties who were in the wrong place at a time when someone chose to drive a car while impaired. DUI/DWI is dangerous for those individuals who chose to operate a car under the influence, and for those individuals whom they injure or kill. In addition to the severe physical injuries that may result in a DUI/DWI accident, there are also serious emotional and mental scars that may never fully heal for both the offenders and their victims.

  Is it "safer" to drink beer, wine or hard liquor in excess?

  None of them. Different types of drinks contain different concentrations of alcohol, or what may be called "proofs." The proof rating is two times the alcohol concentration. Therefore, a 200 proof liquor has a 100 percent alcohol concentration. Most hard liquors have a higher alcohol concentration than most wines, and most wines have a higher alcohol concentration than most beers, meaning that it may take "less" hard liquor and wine to become intoxicated. However, the alcohol concentration of a drink is not everything. You also have to consider the size of the drink that you are having. Therefore, a shot glass of hard liquor, which is usually only about 1-1/2 ounces of alcohol, may end up having the same effect as one five-ounce glass of wine or one twelve-ounce beer.

  Drinking any alcoholic beverage to excess is never a good idea. Not only may you seriously injure yourself or others if you decide to operate a car after drinking excessively but you may also suffer other physical injuries whether or not you decide to operate a motor vehicle. Excessive alcohol consumption over a long period of time can cause damage to the kidneys, liver, heart, and brain. Excessive use of alcohol within a short period of time can also lead to death.

  What is a blood alcohol content?

  A blood alcohol content (BAC) or blood alcohol level (BAL) is a measure of how much ethanol is in your system. The ethanol level in your blood is a byproduct of the broken down alcohol that you consumed. BAC and BAL are measured in a scientific manner that calculates the ratio of ethanol to blood within your system. Therefore, if you have a BAC of .15, that really means that you have .15 grams of ethanol per 100 millimeters of blood in your system. In most jurisdictions, if your BAC or BAL is above .10, and you are operating a car or other vehicle (including some dangerous machinery), you have broken the law.

  • You may still be charged with DUI/DWI even if your BAC or BAL is under .08

  Do I have to take a breath analyzer test?

  A breath analyzer test measures a person's BAC or BAL. The amount of ethanol that is in your system is the same as the amount of ethanol that is "on" your breath when you exhale and inhale. As a result, police are able to test your BAC or BAL by having you breathe into a breath analyzer. Whether you are required to take the test depends on the law in the state you are in at the time. Under the law in some states, if you refuse to submit to a breath analyzer test or other similar test for measuring your BAC or BAL, such as a blood test, your license will automatically be suspended. If you are later found to have not been intoxicated or impaired, your license may still be suspended in some states as a result of your failure to cooperate.

  Can I be charged with DUI/DWI for driving after taking drugs?

  Yes. If you operate a car under the influence of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana, or any other illegal substance you can be charged with a crime. In addition, it is not only illegal drugs that can get you into trouble. Many prescription medications and some over-the-counter medications carry with them specific warnings that they may impair abilities and should not be used while operating any dangerous equipment, including motor vehicles. Check the labels on all medications carefully. Don't get behind the wheel if you are taking any medications that are incompatible with safe driving.

  What will happen if I have more than one DUI/DWI conviction?

  What will happen to you depends upon what state you are in. In most jurisdictions, there is a "step-up" method for handling multiple DUI/DWI convictions for the same person. In some states, a person will be required to pay a fine and perhaps serve a minimum term of imprisonment for a first conviction in addition to having their license suspended. For a second offense, some states may increase the fines and imprisonment or term of suspension. Additional offenses may result in revocation of a license, incarceration and the loss of driving privileges for life. In addition, in some states, a judge may order that the offender participate in an alcohol or drug treatment and education program. Of course, if you seriously injure or kill another person while operating under the influence, you may face additional charges and civil lawsuits.

  Are "alternative" penalties okay for DUI/DWI?

  In many cases "alternative" penalties are allowed in DUI/DWI cases. A judge hearing your case may have discretion in deciding how you should be punished. In situations where you have seriously injured or killed another person, the judge may not have such discretion, but in first time offenses, or in less serious matters, a judge may be able to require you to perform community service in the nature of giving talks about the dangers of drunk driving. In other situations, a judge may require you to place a license plate on your vehicle or a mark on your driver's license that indicates that you have been convicted of DUI/DWI.

  Should I get an attorney if I have been charged with DUI/DWI?

  Although you are not required to have an attorney, it is a good idea to retain one if you have been placed under arrest, or charged with DUI/DWI since these laws are strictly enforced. Some states require that the police provide you with a list of local DUI/DWI defense attorneys. While there may be some arguments that you can make in your defense, your chance of successfully making those arguments or finding mistakes that may have been made in your arrest are much greater if you have an attorney assisting you. If you are faced a DUI/DWI charge, an attorney may be your only hope for avoiding or reducing any penalties or imprisonment you may face.

• Joseph Kreps: By hiring an attorney in your criminal case, you can sometimes save enough money in reduced bail and fines to pay your lawyers fee. Thus, it pays to hire an attorney as soon as you have been arrested.
• Charles Flowers: If you are charged with a crime, CONTACT A LAWYER right away! Even the issues that are raised in a bail hearing can affect the way your case is handled. You may be tempted to see whether you can avoid paying an attorney altogether and just deal with the defense on your own. Do not do this. Defending against criminal charges takes time, requires experience and can have a more profound effect on the rest of your life. If you cannot afford a lawyer, request a court appointed lawyer.  If you are a suspect in a criminal investigation, do not discuss your case with anyone, even family members, without the advice of a criminal defense lawyer. Don't consider doing it yourself‹don't wait to find a criminal defense attorney! The sooner you obtain representation, the sooner the facts surrounding the accusations can be discovered and you can start moving to a resolution.
• Erskine Mathis:

  Q.  Must the police always advise me of my rights?

  A.  Only if they are going to ask you questions and the answers to those questions will incriminate you. If they do not intend to ask you any questions it is not necessary for them to advise you of your rights.

• Lagman & Associates: Alabama follows the implied consent law. This means if you are behind the wheel of a car and you are a licensed driver, you have already given your consent to take the chemical test, when lawfully arrested for driving under the influence. Many Defendants often refuse the chemical test and depending on how the attorney handled that refusal and the facts and circumstances surrounding that case, such information can either be suppressed, ruled inadmissible or be irrelevant to the prosecution. Likewise the information may be submitted into evidence against the Defendant for proof of the conviction of the underlying charge.