Do I need an attorney for my DUI in Shepherdsville or Bullitt County, Kentucky? What do I need to know if I’m facing my first DUI?
My name is John Schmidt, and after more than 25 years of experience as a DUI and criminal defense attorney here in Shepherdsville and throughout the greater Louisville area I can tell you there is a lot I can do to improve your outcome in a first DUI offense.
What is the process you are facing, and what are your most important goals as you face your first DUI? Are you concerned about driving privileges for work? Could a DUI conviction result in the loss of your job? Why shouldn’t you just show up and accept the standard DUI protocol in Court?
A few of the primary issues to answer your question of “Do I need an attorney for my DUI in Shepherdsville or Bullitt County, Kentucky?” involve the consequences you face, and whether or not this is your first DUI. If this is your first DUI, the charge is likely to be a misdemeanor resulting in the potential for jail time of 2 to 30 days, the suspension of your driver’s license for 30 to 120 days, the requirement to endure Our Court’s alcohol driver education and substance abuse program, and fines of several hundred dollars in additional to Court Fees.
If this isn’t your first DUI, then you probably realize you are facing a much longer suspension of your driver’s license, as well as a longer jail sentence and much higher fines. There is a lot I can do to reduce the consequences you face and the severity of the impact of this DUI on your life.
Were there any “aggravating circumstances” associated with your DUI, such as having a child under the age of 12 in the car at the time, traveling more than 30 mph over the posted speed limit, an accident involving serious injury to another or loss of life, refusing to test or a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of more than 0.15%? If so, you will face some mandatory time in jail, an increased period of suspension, the installation of an ignition interlock mechanism, and much higher fines.
Kentucky provides the possibility to qualify for DUI diversion. This program can reduce the consequences of a DUI in your life, including the possibility to set aside the DUI and expunge it from your record after 2 years from the date of your case’s dismissal.
Do I need an attorney for my DUI in Shepherdsville or Bullitt County Kentucky? The answer is usually a resounding “YES,” especially if this is your first DUI, or if the DUI is going to have any impact on your freedom, the ability to drive, your job, or even your parental child custody and parenting time orders.
We invite you to contact us via e-mail, schedule an appointment or call us today at (502) 509-1490 to get the advice and aggressive criminal defense you need and deserve. At the Law Offices of John Schmidt & Associates we bring more than 25 years of experience to your side of the equation, and work hard to achieve a much better outcome in your case than you can or will accomplish on your own.