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An experienced Idaho DUI Lawyer can make the difference for you

Are you facing a drunk driving charge in Idaho? If so, you are probably concerned about the serious impact this event will have on your life. Whether you are wrongfully accused or just made a mistake of judgment, you need solid legal advice and guidance through the system, and an advocate who will stand up and champion your cause. You don't want to have to go to jail, and you are probably worried about losing your license to drive or having a breath test machine attached to your vehicle. You want to make sure that the events of one day won't impact your hard earned career, and that your family will not suffer because of your mistake or misfortune.

If you are like most people facing an Idaho DUI charge, you may be intimidated and overwhelmed by the complexity of the laws and the court process. You have every right to be cautious because you face an allegation that can make you really uncomfortable now, and affect you for the rest of your life.

The Idaho DUI court process is local and the county you are in matters

Although the general laws are the same throughout the state, how they are applied differs from county to county. For that reason, it is important to select a lawyer who is an expert in Idaho DUI law and who knows the local courts of the county where you face your ordeal.

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Idaho DUI Laws

Under Idaho DUI Law, it is illegal to drive or physically control a vehicle if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or impaired by them.

The legal limit for alcohol is 0.08 percent alcohol content. This means that if you were that high, the state will not have to prove that you were impaired because everything at that level or above in Idaho is presumed by the law to be impaired.

Idaho also has separate laws for driving under the influence in commercial vehicles (legal limit of 0.04), and for people under 21 years old (legal limit of 0.02).

Idaho DUI Penalties

The DUI laws provide for gradually stiffer penalties. A first offense carries up to 6 months in jail. A second offense carries a mandatory 10 days in jail, and up to one year, depending on the case. A third offense or greater within 10 years is a felony and carries up to 10 years in jail.

Sentence Enhancers: A person who is convicted with an alcohol concentration of 0.20 or higher will receive enhanced penalties. If DUI driving results in a serious injury to another person, the case will likely be charged as an aggravated DUI, which is a serious felony.

Idaho DUI Court Process

Make no mistake about it. When you face a charge of impaired driving, whether it is a first offense or a vehicular homicide, you are charged with a serious crime. As such, the court must follow the Idaho DUI and criminal process. If you are not represented by a DUI Lawyer, you will be held to the standard of a practicing attorney. That means that you must know the laws, the rules of procedure, the rules of evidence, and how to present yourself and your evidence in court.

License and Driving Issues In Idaho DUI Cases

Did you know that you can lose your license in Idaho if you refuse to give a chemical sample during your arrest? On the flip side, you can also lose your license for failing a chemical test. For this reason, you need the advice of an experienced Idaho DUI lawyer who understands Idaho Implied Consent Law and the license suspension and hearing process.

It is also important that your attorney know the details of Idaho Ignition Interlock Law, to help you avoid having, or minimize the the time you have to have, a breath test machine in your vehicle.

The Idaho DUI Case Against You Might Not Be As Bad As It Seems

While it is never a good thing to be charged with any crime, it is important to realize that making the right moves in your case can make a difference. You should not resign yourself to any particular outcome until you have done your research and spoken to an Idaho Defense Lawyer who is familiar with the court where you are charged.

It is not unusual for something to have gone wrong in the Idaho DUI chemical testing process that could render your result inaccurate or inadmissible as evidence against you. It is also not unusual for the police to make mistakes that compromise the case they have against you, or for witnesses to either not remember what happened or to remember something that helps you. A good defense lawyer will investigate every avenue of innocence, and discover any information that can help win or mitigate your case. If you don't at least consult with an attorney, you will never know everything that might be wrong with the case against you.

Consult with an Idaho DUI Lawyer

Most criminal defense lawyers offer free initial consultations so you can make an intelligent decision about which attorney to hire without spending a lot of money to find out. Make sure to start your consultation process as early as possible in your case so that you have time to absorb the details and make the best possible decisions. Treat your case as if your future depends on it, because it very well may.

To find a local Idaho lawyer and get local information and help, select your county below: