Nobody enjoys getting pulled over for a traffic violation, but being pulled over for a DUI offense is as serious as a traffic stop gets. We all know the anxiety, fear and adrenaline involved in being stopped by the police, and we usually feel this way for good reason because there can be many negative consequences afterwards.
If you were asked to perform a series of field sobriety tests and asked to submit to a blood test or a breath alcohol test, then you have a lot to be concerned about. If the evidence collected from those tests proves that your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) registered at .08% or higher, then you are facing a potential DUI conviction.
The penalties for a first time DUI conviction with a BAC ranging between .08% and less than 0.15% include: fines ranging between $750 and $1250, a minimum of 48 hours in jail, 100 hours of community service, a 30 days driver's license suspension, and you will be required to complete an alcohol evaluation program.
What's more, you will gain a permanent criminal record and your auto insurance costs will go through the roof! All of these reasons are why it's so important to hire a skilled and aggressive Johnson County DUI lawyer to defend you. My name is Steve Neighbors and I have been practicing DUI defense in Johnson County for over 30 years; I am licensed to practice law in Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas.
Most DUIs are misdemeanor offenses; however, when you factor in multiple DUIs, DUI with injury and vehicular manslaughter cases, then a DUI can be prosecuted as a felony offense.
Other aggravating factors may include having a child in the vehicle, being on probation for another DUI or criminal conviction and driving on a suspended or revoked license. I can assist you in any type of DUI case including leaving the scene and underage DUI to name a few.
With all DUI cases, it's my job as your defense attorney to carefully comb through the information regarding the police stop, the arrest, the field sobriety tests and the administration of the chemical tests. The chemical tests refer to any blood test or breath alcohol test used to register your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and the evidence collected in these tests is critical to a DUI conviction. This is why I will carefully search for any potential flaws in the state's case as it pertains to blood alcohol evidence. I will challenge the reliability of breath tests, as well as the legality of the traffic stop and any other evidence that is used against you in court.
When you are arrested for DUI in Kansas, you have a mere 14 days from the date of your arrest to schedule your DMV hearing. This hearing is absolutely vital if you want to challenge your driver's license suspension. Failure to schedule and attend this hearing will inevitably result in a driver's license suspension, which we want to avoid at all costs.
Have you recently received a traffic ticket? If so, if you simply pay the fine then you are essentially admitting guilt and this means that you face all the consequences that come with a traffic ticket. This means points on your driving record, paying the associated fines and the possibility of increased auto insurance rates.
The more tickets you get, the more the points add up on your record and the closer you get to a suspended license. What's more, the more points on your record, the more expensive your annual auto insurance premiums get! I have been representing clients in their traffic ticket cases for over 30 years and I have come to know the local judges, and administrative staff at the courts. There may be a way to reduce if not eliminate the penalties you are facing, but you won't know until you contact me to find out!
In addition to the DUI defense, I am also experienced in the field of criminal defense. For over 30 years I have been defending Kansas residents in DUI and other criminal charges. If you have been charged with domestic violence, domestic battery, harassment or a theft crime, I can defend you in court. I can also defend you if you are being accused of violating a protection order or violating a stalking order.
I understand the court system inside and out and I am prepared to fight tooth and nail to defend your Constitutional rights throughout the legal process. My success is measured strictly by the successful case outcomes of my clients and your case wouldn't be any different. I am driven by results and fully committed to helping your reach a positive outcome in the charges against you.
Contact me at my firm, Neighbors Law Office to schedule a free consultation today.