Idaho DWI/DUI Lawyer
If you live in Idaho, were vacationing or visiting in Idaho, or just passing through on a journey elsewhere and were stopped and arrested on a DWI or DUI charge, you need to act quickly to find and hire an Idaho lawyer experienced in DUI laws and procedures.
In the State of Idaho, you only have 7 days to file a challenge to your case or you will lose your driver’s license without a hearing. You need to request an administrative hearing from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you do not, you stand to lose your license for a minimum of 30 days. You need to find an Idaho lawyer who is well-versed in the DUI laws of that state. DWI and DUI laws are complex, complicated, and can be difficult to maneuver through without the aid of an experienced Idaho lawyer. Laws regarding DWI and DUI charges are constantly changing and being upgraded. You need an expert lawyer licensed in Idaho and experienced in handling these types of cases.
In Idaho, a DUI charge is considered relevant if you have been found driving or operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08 or higher. In the State of Idaho, this is usually determined with a breath test. If you refuse to take this test, your license will automatically be confiscated by the attending police officer and could be suspended for 6 months. If you fail the breath test, your driver’s license will be taken and you will be arrested.
In the State of Idaho, a DUI charge is seen as two separate charges: a criminal charge and you will be required to attend a hearing held before the Idaho Transportation Department. If you are convicted of the DUI criminal charge, you can face jail time, a monetary fine, and temporary loss of your driving privileges. If convicted before the Idaho Transportation Department, they could add time to your driver’s license suspension. A DWI or DUI charge is actually treated as two offenses in one.
Idaho DUI Penalties
First Offense sentence possibilities
- Jail time of between 48 hours to 6 months
- Driver’s license suspension for 6 months with an additional month of extra
- restrictions
- Attendance at an alcohol evaluation program
- Attendance at a DUI victim’s panel
- Probation time of 1 to 2 years
- Fines up to $1,000
Second offense punishments
- Jail time of between 10 days and 1 year
- Driver’s license suspension for 1 year
- Attendance at an alcohol evaluation program
- Treatment recommended at the alcohol evaluation program
- Ignition interlock device mandatory on vehicle
- Probation time of 2 years
- Fines up to $2,000
Third offense consequences
- Felony charges
- Jail time between 30 days and 5 years
- Driver’s license suspension between 1 and 5 years
- Supervised probation
- Fines up to $5,000
The State of Idaho does have some special opportunities for DWI or DUI repeat offenders and first time offenders with a higher-than-average BAC level. The State of Idaho offers a program called “ DUI Court.” This is a plan designed and intended to teach people about the dangers of drunk-driving. By attending this class, you can reduce your jail time by working in the Sheriff’s Department’s labor program for two days. You must also attend an Alcoholic Anonymous meeting and other stipulations that are required by the Idaho court system.
Some methods your Idaho lawyer can use to try to win your DUI case include:
- Challenge the reason why the police officer stopped your vehicle in the first place. A police officer must have a valid reason for initially pulling your vehicle over.
- Your lawyer can challenge the accuracy of the breath test, maintenance of the testing equipment to see if it was working properly at the time the test was administered to you, and the ability or proper training of the officer or personnel who administered the breath test.
- Challenge if your Miranda rights were properly read to you at the time.
Info™ State DUI DWI Information: