Arkansas DUI Attorney

DUI charges in Arkansas give you two cases to deal with. The first is from the actual arrest, with the trial held in the criminal court. Penalties to face are one day to one year jail time just for your first DUI arrest.

Fines reaching up to $1000 can make it difficult for your finances. Your second case is with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administrative Office of Motor Vehicles. Your license will be suspended if you do not have a hearing within 7 days after your arrest. A longer suspension of 120 days is given to first time offenders or those with BAC levels under .08. You should contact your lawyer within these 7 days so he or she can properly guide you through the hearing. Blood, breath, or urine tests are your choices for chemical tests when police request it during your arrest. The most accurate one is found in blood, but it should be done by a medical professional.

The lawyer you choose will draw much of your defense and arguments based on the chemical tests and the field sobriety tests. The field sobriety tests performed in Arkansas are the walk and turn, one leg stand, or horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN). HGN is associated with being under the influence when your eyes jerk involuntarily. An ignition interlock device is required for BAC levels over .18%. Teenagers or juveniles arrested for DUI face the same penalties mentioned for adults.

With all these risks to face for your finances, permanent records, reputation, and career, it's wise to start looking for an attorney as soon as you've performed all of the police tests after a DUI arrest.