FELONY DWI LAWYER IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
DEFENDING THE RIGHTS OF OUR CLIENTS
Being charged with a DWI can lead to severe criminal penalties. If you have had multiple DWIs before or your arrest involves other aggravating factors, your charges could be upgraded to the felony level. Felonies are more serious than misdemeanors and may involve prison time, expensive fines, and other penalties.
Felony DWI offenses have the potential to disrupt your entire life. Felony convictions stay on your permanent record and appear on background checks, making it difficult to find a job or apply to educational institutions. Whether you are arrested for drinking and driving or driving under the influence of drugs, you need an experienced DWI attorney on your side to defend you.
Our team at Renauro Law has extensive experience protecting our clients from felony DWI charges. We are confident that no matter your criminal history, we can create a unique legal defense strategy to reduce or remove the penalties you are facing. Please don’t hesitate to reach out about your DWI charge. For more information, contact our law office today by calling (479) 334-0355.
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WHEN IS A DWI A FELONY?
Most DWI offenses are classified as misdemeanors. However, certain circumstances can elevate your charges to the felony level. There are a few different reasons your DWI may be classified as a felony.
DWIs are often felonies under the following circumstances:
This is your fourth DWI offense within five years. If you have three prior DWI convictions within the past five years, your next DWI automatically becomes a felony.
You caused a fatal wreck. If you drove under the influence and caused a fatal crash, you may face felony charges.
The amount of drugs or alcohol in your system can also impact your charges. In some cases, a very high amount of drugs or alcohol in your blood will increase your charges to the felony level. Your driving record and criminal history can also make prosecutors increase your charges to a felony.
WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES OF A FELONY DWI?
Unlike misdemeanor DWI charges, a felony DWI charge almost always leads to severe criminal consequences. If you are charged with a felony DWI in Arkansas, you could face one to six years in state prison, fines of up to $5,000, and a license revocation. The state may also choose to confiscate your vehicle. You will be required to attend an alcohol education and treatment program by a judge.
If your license is revoked, you will not have a chance to apply for a restricted license. You will be unable to drive your vehicle, even if you need to get to and from work. Your driving privileges may be revoked for life. If you manage to avoid jail time, you will likely be required to complete one to two years of community service. Renauro Law is committed to your defense; call (479) 334-0355 and let us advocate for you in court.
HOW DO YOU FIGHT A FELONY DWI CHARGE?
Felony DWI charges are serious. Fortunately, there are ways to fight against them by working with our Springdale DWI lawyers. If you are charged with a DWI, there are a few ways we can defend you. Your specific defense strategy will depend on the nature of your arrest and your previous criminal record.
Lead Attorney Ryan Renauro may be able to use the following defense strategies:
Lack of Probable Cause
When officers pull you over for a suspected DWI, they must have probable cause. Erratic behavior like speeding, excessive braking, or swerving can alert officers of a potential DWI. If you were not exhibiting any dangerous driving behavior, the case against you may be unlawful.
Lack of Prior Convictions
If prosecutors are charging you with a felony because of your prior convictions, there is a chance they could be mistaken. For instance, if you were arrested for a DWI but not charged, that would not count as a conviction on your record. Our team will ensure that you’ve had three or more DWI convictions on your record; if not, we can show evidence that you should only be charged with a misdemeanor.
Inaccurate Field Sobriety Tests
Field sobriety tests like the stand-and-walk or reciting the alphabet backward are sometimes used to test your motor skills before a DWI arrest. However, the officers administering these tests must follow the correct procedures to ensure valid results. If your field sobriety test was not administered correctly, the prosecution cannot use it against you.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions can mimic the signs of being intoxicated or even alter your blood alcohol content levels. If you have conditions like GERD, diabetes, or mental health problems, our team can use your medical records to prove that you were not under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.
Faulty Breathalyzer
Officers will often use a breathalyzer to measure how much alcohol is in your system. These machines must be properly maintained to give accurate results. If officers cannot show that they maintained these machines properly, Renauro Law could argue that your results are skewed.
Should I Consult a DWI Lawyer?
Facing criminal charges can have a severe impact on your life, especially if those criminal charges are upgraded to the felony level. If you are found driving substantially altered due to drugs or alcohol, you could be sentenced to a felony DWI. DWIs can lead to prison time, loss of driving privileges, expensive fines, and more.
Working with a team of DWI attorneys is the best way to protect yourself from these severe criminal penalties. If you want to avoid a conviction on your record after you have been accused of a DWI, our law office is here to help. Contact Renauro Law for a free case overview by calling (479) 334-0355 today.