Your First DUI Offense in Oklahoma: What To Expect When You're Expecting the Worst

A DUI is a very serious offense, and Oklahoma courts do not take these matters lightly. Even if this is your first offense, the punishments are no less serious. They still come with a number of criminal and administrative penalties that can only be resolved with the help of a DUI defense lawyer.

So what may you expect when you've been charged with your first DUI?

1. Your license will be suspended for 30 days following your first DUI arrest, unless you have contested the charges in an administrative hearing and have negotiated an alternative punishment.


2. Implied consent requires that anyone suspected of a DUI in the state of Oklahoma must submit to a breath, blood, or urine test. If the suspect refuses to submit, they will automatically be found guilty and will be have their license revoked for a six month period following the arrest.


3. First DUI offenses will result in a period of incarceration no fewer than 10 days, but no more than one year.


4. The reinstatement of a driver's license with require the offender to complete substance abuse assessment, treatment, or courses after the first offense; however, ignition interlock devices are only issued to repeat offenders.


5. Was there a minor in the vehicle during your arrest? You automatically face fines over $2,000, as well as up to four years of incarceration.


6. The standard issued fine is around $1,000 for a first offense, without minors present, and may include additional DUI fees. These fees do not include the costs that come with criminal or administrative assessment.In many cases, a DUI conviction can cost up to $20,000 or more.


7. While statutes generally follow offenders for a few years following their convictions, after a certain amount of time, future charges may be treated as "first offenses." In Oklahoma, that statute is 10 years, so even if your record remains clean for a long period of time following your first DUI, you should expect to be treated as a repeat offender.

It's hard to prepare a DUI defense on your own when there are a number of consequences that you may not even know about. That's why you should always seek help from a DUI and criminal defense law firm when it comes to tricky situations like these.

If you're worried about what's to come following your first DUI, call the Law Offices of Adam Williams. With only a 15-day window to file for a DPS hearing, there's no time to waste. Call today.

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