Oklahoma Dui Lawyer / Attorney
Are you facing DUI charges in Oklahoma? Hire an Oklahoma DUI lawyer
Understanding and dealing with Oklahoma DUI law and charges can be challenging, as drunk driving is considered a criminal offense in the state of Oklahoma. If you have been charged for DUI “Driving Under the Influence”, you may have to face serious consequences which can affect your finances, job, family relations, personal freedom and your future. Therefore, it is very important that you consult and hire a qualified Oklahoma DUI lawyer to defend your case and reduce the charges against you.
In Oklahoma, anyone found driving a vehicle or being physically in charge of one with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or more is violating the law and will be prosecuted in court. If BAC is between 0.05 and 0.08, you can be charged for “impaired driving” which has slightly different consequences. This means that there are different laws for a driver to be sentenced guilty if found driving under the influence. Similarly, BAC of 0.15 or more is considered as “aggravated DUI” and has harsher penalties. Here is a summary of some of the common charges you will have to face if you are charged with DUI in the state of Oklahoma. However, you should still consult a qualified DUI lawyer who understands the local laws to defend your case.
DUI First Offense
A first time DUI offense is considered a misdemeanour and the offender is fined $1000 along with jail of minimum 1 day up to a year.
DUI Second Offense
A second offense within 10 years is charged a fine of up to $2500 and jailed between 1 to 5 years. The defender can appeal for an alcohol treatment program instead of prison. In this case, the minimum time spent in jail is reduced to 5 days.
DUI Third Offense
A third time offense is considered felony DUI, and is charged with a heavy fine of $5000 along with minimum 1 year to 7 years in prison. The court may apply other conditions such as 240 hours of community service and installation of an ignition interlock device after release. In case the defending lawyer applies for an alternative to prison, such as an alcohol treatment program, the offender has to stay a minimum of 10 days in prison.
DUI Fourth or subsequent Offense
For fourth or subsequent offenses, the court decides the penalties based on the drivers history and records of previous DUI cases. The offender will have to pay $5000 as fine, stay 1 year to 10 years in jail, along with an alcohol treatment program. The offender may also have to serve 480 hours of community service and use an ignition interlock device after release.
Additional DUI penalties in Oklahoma
According to the local law in Oklahoma, anyone charged with DUI with a child under the age of 16 years in the vehicle has to pay double fines according to the offense. Any driver convicted with DUI also has to pay an additional fee of $100.
The offenders driver’s license is also suspended which is revoked after 180 days in case of a first offense, 1 year in case of a second offense and 3 years in case of a third offense.
Drivers arrested for “Aggravated Driving” have to submit to at least 1 year of alcohol testing, monitoring and treatment program and have to use an ignition interlock device for minimum 30 days after the license suspension is revoked.
Cases involving serious accidents are considered a felony and the charges and fines increase going up to $5000, with up to 5 years in prison. Similarly, the law deals with underage DUI cases separately.
To fully understand the penalties associated with an Oklahoma DUI charge, it is strongly recommended that you consult with an Oklahoma DUI lawyer that you are most comfortable with and who can knowledgeably represent you throughout your trial and court proceedings. You can find an Oklahoma drunk driving attorney by typing in the city of your arrest above or call our 24 hour DUI hotline
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