The culture as a whole has a serious vendetta against individuals who drive drunk, and there is a very fair reason for that. It is dangerous, irresponsible, and potentially catastrophic. Many individuals charged with a first-time DUI are more than aware of these realities about DUI, and they should face a fair consequence. But, how far should it go?
Harley Wagner, DUI Lawyer in Charleston, argues that the mean grip of the law swings too far when it comes to many individuals facing a DUI. The goal of a defense lawyer is to downgrade the extent of the consequence of a DUI for a client who clearly understands their responsibility and the danger of their actions.
A DUI is usually organized in three tiers that range from the lowest consequence to the highest. The blood-alcohol levels dictate where the charge will begin, but it is not set in stone. The first tier is known as general impairment in many states. In generally involves a BAC of .08 to .099. It concludes that there were no injuries and no property damage. It is possible to avoid jail time with a general impairment, but it can go up to about six months.
The second tier with a DUI Lawyer in Charleston is considered high rate. It involves a BAC rate of .1 to .16. It requires a license suspension of about 12 years. Jail time varies wildly, for this is the most open-ended tier for a DUI case. It could be from a few days to a year.
The final rate is the highest tier for an isolated DUI. Any higher charges at this point would involve manslaughter, property damage, and other disastrous charges. The high rate can involve a vehicle accident if no one was injured or if the property damage was minimal. The BAC level should be above .16 to qualify in the highest tier of a DUI. The tier requires a one-year license suspension and a potential license expulsion in some states.
All of the above DUI Lawyer in Charleston cases are for first-time DUI offenders. Looking at a first-time offense? Speak with a local DUI Lawyer in Charleston to learn about building a case and what to do in the following months.
