Orange Beach DUI Lawyer

DUI Attorney in Orange Beach, AL

It may have started like any other evening – a few drinks with friends over dinner at their beach house overlooking the water. On your way home, you see red and blue lights in your rearview mirror, and your heart begins to race with dread. If you’ve been arrested for a DUI, you may be afraid of the long-lasting consequences of a conviction. An Orange Beach DUI lawyer can help.

With over 30 years of experience serving residents and tourists alike in the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores area, Angela L Walker PC, a trusted Criminal Defense Lawyer, offers a personal, client-first approach to those facing a pending DUI conviction. When you hire Angela as your attorney, you can rest assured that you’ll be working with a seasoned, experienced professional with a proven history of aggressive advocacy for her clients.

Alabama DUI Laws and Penalties

A DUI charge in Alabama occurs when a driver’s level of impairment exceeds a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of 0.08% when measured by a breathalyzer test or a blood test. Alabama takes driving under the influence seriously, and even first-time offenses carry severe penalties, including:

• Up to one year of jail time
• Hefty fines
• License suspension
• Mandatory participation in a state-certified chemical dependency program
• Ignition lock restrictions in some cases.

In addition to the criminal penalties you may face for a DUI, the mark on your record may impact your ability to find employment or housing in the future. DUIs also carry a heavy weight of social stigma, potentially influencing your professional and social standing. Over 800,000 people are arrested in the US every year for drunk driving, making it one of the most common first-time criminal offenses.

What to Do if You Are Pulled Over After Drinking

If you’re headed home from The Wharf or any of Orange Beach’s other great nightlife spots, and you’re pulled over, your actions with law enforcement can have an impact on your arrest and conviction. A significant percentage of DUI incidents occur on the weekend, when law enforcement actively patrols Baldwin County roadways for impaired drivers.

If you’re pulled over, it’s important to remain calm and respectful to law enforcement, while also remembering your rights. Here’s what to do and what not to do if you are pulled over under suspicion of drinking and driving:

• Do not submit to a field sobriety test. These tests are highly fallible, not required by law, and the results will be used against you by prosecutors.
• Under Alabama’s Implied Consent Law, you must submit to a breathalyzer test if an officer asks you to complete one. Refusal to do so can result in a 90-day license suspension and increase your chances of a DUI conviction, as refusing a chemical test is often considered a tacit admission of guilt.
• If you are arrested, do not resist, but remain silent and do not answer any questions from law enforcement until you have a lawyer to advocate on your behalf.
• It’s crucial to contact a qualified DUI lawyer as soon as possible following your arrest. A lawyer can help you mitigate the charges and penalties you could face. It’s important to remember the details around your arrest and any potential breaches in protocol that law enforcement commits, as these details can help to reduce or invalidate charges.

How a DUI Lawyer Can Help

A qualified DUI lawyer will perform an extensive investigation into the circumstances around your arrest, requesting evidence from the prosecution and evaluation statements from the arresting officer to determine whether the arrest was valid and any procedural errors were committed. Sometimes, these errors are significant enough to result in a complete dismissal of charges, especially if BAC results were marginal and the offender has no prior record.

Even if there was probable cause and the arrest is valid, an experienced lawyer can argue for lesser penalties and negotiate a plea deal to reduce charges.

FAQs About DUI Law

Can a DUI Be Dismissed in Alabama?

Yes, in some circumstances, which is why legal representation is necessary in any DUI case. Lawyers can interrogate and investigate the arrest, creating reasonable doubt in the prosecution’s case, especially if there is evidence of procedural errors during any part of the detainment process. This is why it is critical to consult with an attorney as soon as you are released from jail after your arrest.

How Often Are DUI Cases Dismissed?

It depends on the evidence available and the details of your case. If this is your first offense, the likelihood of a dismissal is higher, especially if your BAC level was at the low end of the legal limit. DUIs carry some degree of subjectivity, which attorneys often utilize to their advantage as part of their defense strategy.

Is a DUI a Misdemeanor or a Felony?

Most first-time DUIs are classified as misdemeanors. Subsequent offenses can result in a higher classification, especially if there are aggravating factors such as an injury accident, an exceptionally high BAC, or minor children in the vehicle when you are pulled over and arrested. Alabama prosecutes DUIs aggressively, and even first offenses can carry heavy penalties.

How Long Are You Detained in Jail After a DUI Arrest in Alabama?

Following your arrest, you will be taken to the nearest police station, booked, fingerprinted, and photographed, and your blood alcohol level will be confirmed with a chemical test. This process usually takes a few hours and can take up to one full day. Once someone places bail, you will be released with information on your license suspension and arraignment hearing, where formal charges are presented, and you enter your plea.

Facing DUI Charges? Hire a DUI Lawyer You Can Trust

Being arrested for a DUI is one of the most stressful experiences a person can face, but you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. Angela L Walker has over three decades of experience advocating for the accused in Baldwin County, with a reputation for authoritative and respected representation in all kinds of DUI cases. Contact her office today to take the first step in receiving the justice you deserve.