Believe it or not, a first DUI offense can carry some stiff penalties in West Virginia. If you are charged with DUI, you could face jail time and license suspension -- among other things -- depending on the facts of your case. Seeking legal assistance when charged with impaired driving for the first time may help you resolve the situation quickly and result in the best possible outcome.
Being accused of driving while impaired does not mean you will automatically be convicted. It does not mean that you will receive the maximum penalty if you are convicted. It simply means that a law enforcement officer believes that he or she saw signs of impairment, which resulted in an arrest.
Fortunately, for those accused of DUI, field sobriety and chemical tests are not 100 percent accurate. Errors are possible, meaning false positives are sometimes obtained leading to unwarranted arrests and charges. An experienced attorney can help you by reviewing testing procedures, results and any other evidence being used in your case. If any issues are found, the errors could result in a case dismissal or at least a reduction in charges.
If convicted of DUI, a criminal defense attorney will work diligently to minimize the consequences. In West Virginia, there are alternative sentencing options that involve drug and alcohol treatment programs that, if approved, could allow the accused to skip jail time and receive rehabilitative treatments instead. At the end of the day, no one has to face DUI charges in criminal court alone. To learn more about how an attorney can help you with your DUI case, please visit our firm's website.