Washington DC DWI Lawyer

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is a criminal charge that carries consequences which reach beyond the DMV. If you have been charged with a DWI in Washington DC, you should consider contacting a Washington DC DWI lawyer who will zealously protect your rights.

The District of Columbia has three separate charges related to driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or other inebriating substances.  The most severe charge is Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).  To be charged with a DWI, a driver must be operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or greater.  A police officer may test for BAC by conducting two chemical tests (breath, urine, blood, or a combination of two different tests) on a suspected drunk driver.  If the test results indicate the driver has a BAC of .08 or above, the driver is “per se” intoxicated, meaning that even if the individual’s driving was not affected by the alcohol consumption, he or she will be charged with a DC DWI.  Due to Washington DC’s implied consent law, a driver who refuses to take any of these chemical tests will be subjected to additional penalties, including a one-year revocation of his or her license.

A first-time DC DWI offender will face a maximum $300 fine and/or a maximum jail sentence of 90 days.  A driver with a BAC of .20-.25 will be imprisoned for a mandatory minimum of five days.  Finally, if the driver’s BAC was above .25, he or she will face a mandatory minimum of an additional 10 days in jail.

In addition to the court-ordered fines and jail sentences, a DWI conviction can lead to the revocation of a driver’s license, increased auto insurance premiums, decreased credit ratings, travel restrictions, and various other costs.

If you have been charged with a DWI, a Washington DC DWI attorney can help you plan your best defense.  Call David Benowitz at (202) 529-9374 for a consultation today.