DUI

Think it’s time to talk to a DUI lawyer?

If you do, you should probably pick up the phone right now. If you have been arrested for drunk driving you need to act fast. A DUI arrest can have massive unintended consequences. The first thing you must understand is that time is not on your side.

Pick up the phone. Get a FREE case evaluation immediately. Tell us about your case and we’ll help you understand what you should do next. The time to mount a solid defense starts now. As they say, the best defense is often a good offense.

Do I Need An Owensboro DUI Lawyer?

We’re not just top-rated Owensboro DUI lawyers. Our firm handles all matters of criminal defense. If there is one thing we can tell you, it would be that a conviction is something you do not want.

You really have only two options.

You can go it alone, hope for the best, and balance work and life with your newly mandated court appearances… 

OR, you can walk in the courtroom side by side with an Owensboro DUI lawyer with over 13 years of experience in the local courts.

It’s really your choice.

Don’t give up and think it’s all over just because you have been arrested for DUI. Before you make ANY decisions, it’s important that an experienced DUI attorney review the police report and evidence submitted by the arresting officer for inconsistencies or other issues that may strengthen your defense — or even result in an outright dismissal.

Whatever you do, do not plead guilty without talking to a lawyer first.

We understand that you are likely under a lot of stress, especially if this is your first DUI. Everyone that has been in your situation just wanted to have it all be over as fast as possible.

We understand.

So does the County or Commonwealth Attorney.

The prosecutor has one goal and that goal is to convict. A high conviction rate makes the prosecutor’s office look good, which means it is common for the County or Commonwealth Attorney to give you a “deal” to get you to plead guilty and move on, seemingly with very little consequences.

On their end, they want an easy conviction and to move your case off the calendar to make room for the rest of their caseload.

Here’s the reality: pleading guilty can have massive unintended consequences that can impact your life in a very real way.

  • What happens when your employer finds out?
  • What will your friends and family think?
  • Do you want to explain a DUI conviction every time you fill out a job application or put in a lease for a new place to live?
  • Do you want to pay more for auto insurance every year?
  • Do you want to blow into an ignition interlock device every time you start your car? 

These are just some of the things that you’ll potentially have to deal with if you are convicted of a DUI in Owensboro, KY.

The problems are even worse if you need your license for work or are pursuing a career that will require a background check.

Whatever situation applies to you, you really need an experienced Owensboro DUI lawyer to take a hard look at your case BEFORE you make any drastic decisions that can impact you for the rest of your life.

Even if none of these situations apply to you, a DUI conviction can mean many things: license suspension, fines, court fees, community service, alcohol programs — even jail time.

Kentucky DUI Penalties

If you are 21 years or older:

A first DUI offense in Kentucky is a misdemeanor.

Penalties include:

  • A fine between $200 to $500, and/or imprisonment for between 48 hours and 30 days. You may be able to serve community service in lieu of the fine and/or imprisonment. 
  • A mandatory $375 service fee.
  • Your driver’s license will be suspended for 30 to 120 days.
  • If aggravating circumstances* are present, then the offender must serve at least four days in jail.
  • You will be required to attend DUI classes.
  • You will face additional court costs.
  • You may be eligible for a hardship license under certain circumstances.

A 2nd DUI offense in Kentucky is a misdemeanor.

Penalties include:

  • A fine between $350 to $500, imprisonment for between seven days and six months, and you may be sentenced to community labor for between ten days and six months. 
  • A mandatory $375 service fee.
  • Your driver’s license will be suspended for 12 to 18 months.
  • You may be eligible for a restricted license after 12 months.
  • You will be required to have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle.
  • You may be required to perform community service for a period of 10 days to six months in addition to a fine and jail time.
  • You may be required to enroll in alcohol abuse treatment or a treatment program for a period of one year.
  • If aggravating circumstances* are present, then the offender must serve at least 14 days in jail.
  • You will be required to attend DUI classes.

A 3rd DUI offense in Kentucky is a misdemeanor.

Penalties include:

  • A fine between $500 to $1,000. 
  • A mandatory $375 service fee.
  • Imprisonment for 30 days to 12 months.
  • Your driver’s license will be suspended for 24 to 36 months.
  • You may be eligible for a restricted license after 12 months.
  • You will be required to have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle.
  • You may be required to perform community service for a period of 10 days to six months in addition to a fine and jail time.
  • You may be required to enroll in alcohol abuse treatment or a treatment program for a period of one year.
  • If aggravating circumstances* are present, then the offender must serve at least 60 days in jail.
  • You will be required to attend DUI classes.

A 4th DUI offense in Kentucky is a felony.

Penalties include:

  • Guilty of a Class D felony
  • A fine determined by the court, plus mandatory $375 service fee. 
  • You will go to jail for a minimum sentence of 120 days, but could be sentenced up to 5 years.
  • Your driver’s license will be suspended for 60 months.
  • You may be eligible for a restricted license after 30 months.
  • You will be required to have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle.
  • You may be required to perform community service for a period of 10 days to six months in addition to a fine and jail time.
  • You may be required to enroll in alcohol abuse treatment or a treatment program for a period of one year.

*Aggravating circumstances are any of the following:

  • Driving more than 30 mph over the speed limit
  • Driving in the wrong direction
  • Driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15% or more
  • Causing a motor vehicle accident that results in death or serious personal injury
  • Refusing to submit to certain tests requested by a police officer
  • Driving with a passenger who is less than 12 years old in the vehicle

If you are under 21 years old:

Your driver’s license will be suspended for a period of 30 days to six months, and you will be fined between $100 and $500 (or 20 hours of community service in lieu of a fine). However, if you had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater, then you will be subjected to the same penalties as an offender who is 21 years old or older.

Speak to a Owensboro DUI Lawyer Near You

If you have been arrested for a DUI, the best defense is a good offense. Talk to a local Owensboro DUI lawyer immediately for a free consultation. We can help you get through this.

Ben Byers Law Office is a top-rated personal injury and criminal defense law firm located in Owensboro, Kentucky. We will leave no stone unturned in our quest to give you the absolute best defense possible. We pride ourselves on our ability to navigate our clients through even the most difficult of times, letting them walk away with the best outcome possible.

If you have been arrested for a DUI, please reach out to us now.

We’re here and ready to help.