Groups » How Not to Get Your License Suspended for DWI

Drunk driving or driving when intoxicated has become a menace across the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10,265 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2015. Moreover, nearly 1.1 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics in the same year. Impaired driving endangers the life of not only the driver, but also the passengers and the pedestrians. This is why all states have enacted laws that prohibit driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol.

The consequences of driving while intoxicated (DWI) are severe; however, the penalties differ from state to state. In general, penalties for DUI or DWI include:

• Suspension of license (suspension lengths vary by state)


• Fines (from $500 to $2,000) and jail time (six months for misdemeanor and several years for felony)


• Installation of ignition interlock device in the vehicle

In case of severe offense (if someone is severely injured or dies in an accident due to DWI), the driver may face harsher penalties.

Effects of License Suspension

Being convicted for DWI can affect the quality of your life in many ways, but suspension of license might affect your life more adversely.

The driver will be prohibited from driving until the suspension is lifted. If you are caught driving with a suspended license, then things can worsen. The penalties for driving with suspended license include:

• Substantial fines


• Jail time


• Community service


• More points added to your driving record


• Added suspension time, and more

License suspension can have adverse effects on your car insurance as well. The car insurance rates can get higher after the license has been suspended. Certain states also allow insurance providers to cancel your policy mid term if your license has been suspended or revoked.

Further, you will be burdened with filing an SR-22. Also known as Statement of Responsibility, SR-22 is an official document which confirms that you have enough insurance. Drivers required to file an SR-22 are notified either through a court order or from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

All this is done as you are being marked as a high-risk driver. So it is best to avoid driving when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. However, if you have been convicted and are on the verge of losing your license, an experienced DWI defense attorney can help you.

How to Prevent Your License from Getting Suspended after DWI

DWI laws differ from state to state, so you need to understand the state DWI laws to prevent your license from getting suspended. For instance, if you are convicted for DWI in Conroe, you may face penalties that are different from that in any other part of the country. Therefore, you need to work with a seasoned DWI defense attorney at Conroe to prevent license suspension.

The first thing to do to stop the suspension is request a DMV hearing with help of your DWI defense attorney within 20 days from the date of conviction. If you fail to place the request within 20 days, you lose your right to challenge the suspension of your license. Once you are notified about the date and the time of the hearing, you need to appear in front of a hearing examiner for further testimony.

During the hearing, three issues need to be addressed:

• Whether the conviction was lawful


• If the police officer has enough reasons to believe the driver was driving under influence of drugs or alcohol


• If the breathalyzer test show results that exceeded the legal limit? Did the driver cooperate during the test?

If you are able to prove that you have been cooperative and the officer does not have enough reasons to convict you, you may prevent your license from getting suspended. However, you need to produce enough evidence to prove your point.

In order to successfully stop the suspension, you need to prepare well and work with the right attorney. Only an attorney experienced in DWI defense will be able to prepare and collect evidence that will help you stop the suspension. Remember, there may be several defenses to your DWI conviction, but you need to put forward the one that is most effective in your case.

Here are some tips to help you perform well at the hearing:

• Be well-dressed: By dressing properly, you show respect to the hearing examiner and give the impression that you are serious about the matter.


• Show up on time: Appear for the hearing a few minutes before the designated timing. Being late for the hearing will make the examiner believe you are irresponsible. Moreover, DMV hearing administrators are busy people, so you must respect their time.


• Be prepared: Make sure you have all the documents and information that may be required during the hearing. Understand how hearings take place (the attorney will help you) and prepare accordingly.

Conclusion

The first step to avoiding license suspension is becoming a responsible driver. This will not only help you maintain a good driving record, but will also ensure safety of other people. However, if you get convicted for DWI, obtain legal counsel from an experienced DWI defense attorney. A skilled attorney will help you prevent license suspension and also minimize penalties.