The United States of America ’s drunk-driving data exposes frightening developments. Deaths caused by drunk driving comprised more than half of the accidents in the country. According to statistics, around 25,000 deaths are caused by drinking and driving every year. Even with just one beer, the probabilities of an accident multiply by seven. For that reason, the state of Rhode Island has rigorous laws and consequences designed to protect all drivers; unfortunately, many facing DUI or DWI conviction do not deserve the harshness of the law. If you are one of these people, consult a Rhode Island DWI/DUI lawyer right away.

Rhode Island Laws

Like many other states, Rhode Island takes age and blood alcohol content (BAC) into consideration when charging individuals with drinking and driving related offense. As a result, penalties are dependent on the BAC of the offender. If your levels are between .08 and .10, you can expect to spend up to a year in jail, perform sixty hours of community service, and lose three hundred dollars to fines. You will also have to undergo a special class on drinking and driving, and you will lose your license for up to 180 days. If your BAC is higher than that, the fines, jail time and license suspension time nearly doubles. These laws are even less understanding on offenders under the age of 21. If you are underage, you can be arrested if you have any traces of alcohol in your body. If you refuse to submit to chemical testing, you will lose your license, perform community service, and pay high fines. Hence, the rigidity and strictness the Rhode Island DUI/DWI laws should serve as a warning to would be offenders to stop, look, and listen as well as hire a good Rhode Island DWI/DUI attorney.

The rate of DUI and DWI arrests in Rhode Island are not low, and as with other states in the US , there are huge repercussions and consequences connected to such charges. A DUI arrest and charge is no light matter, and if you plead guilty to such a charge or are proven in court for being in violation of this law, you can be sure that the rest of your life will hinge on this one charge. While you may get away with just a fine or a community service penalty for such an offense, it does not actually end there. Your records will permanently show that you were charged and found guilty of DUI or DWI, and this means that any offense you may commit, traffic or otherwise, will carry higher fines due to your subsequent arrest and conviction. Furthermore, future employers can view your criminal records, which may mean that you do not get the job you want. Credit bureaus can also see those records, so you may not qualify for great home loans, student loans, or auto loans just because you did not hire the right attorney.

If you are arrested on these charges, and you believe you have been unjustly charged with a DUI, you should hire an attorney to clear your name and keep your records clean. A good Rhode Island DUI/DWI lawyer will know the loopholes in the state's system and will know how to try your case to get you absolved of the charges filed against you.

To help you find out if the Rhode Island DWI or DUI lawyer you want to hire is the best one you can find, you may need to do a little background checking. You should ask about the past DUI cases the lawyer's firm and the lawyer himself has handled and what the results were. You should also find out whether or not this particular firm is well versed in traffic laws and DUI or DWI charges in particular. Once you find out whether or not you are making the right choice, the next step would be to prepare your defense.

You should be able to recount to your lawyer as many details of the arrest as possible. You should point out any of the infractions the arresting officer may have done to you upon your arrest. Did he read you your Miranda rights? Was there any incident when you felt you were being manhandled? Were you treated fairly and with the civility that you are entitled to? These will count a lot when it comes to your DUI case and your lawyer will know how to work to your advantage the various events that transpired on the time of your DUI arrest.