Kent County DUI Attorney

Help for DUI Charges in West Warwick and Kent County

As a driver in Rhode Island, by accepting your driver's license you have given an "implied consent" to the state to be tested for the presence of alcohol or drugs if a police officer suspects you of a DUI or DWI. In Rhode Island, you will be charged with a DWI (driving while intoxicated) if your blood alcohol level (BAC) is at .08 or higher. 

If you are under 21, you can be charged with a DWI if your BAC is at .02 or higher. No matter whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony DUI, if you choose not to fight these charges, you face the possibility of harsh consequences through the courts and the loss of your license.

DWI and DUI in Rhode Island

You do have the right to fight the charges and defend yourself in court. With my help as a Kent County lawyer, you may be able to avoid a conviction or minimize the penalties you may be facing. If you are a first-time offender with a BAC of .08 to .10 you face fines of up to $300, a suspended license for up to 6 months, a $50 reinstatement fee, jail time of up to one year, possibly 10 to 60 hours of community service, a possible Highway Safety Assessment fee of $500, and possible mandatory attendance in a driving school or alcohol treatment program.

The penalties become more severe for those convicted of a DWI with a BAC between .10 and .20, those who are repeat offenders within 5 years, those with a BAC over .20, those who were driving with a minor under the age of 14 in the vehicle, those who were speeding as well as drug-impaired or drunk driving, those who have caused an accident or traffic fatality due to DWI or DUI, and anyone who refuses to take a chemical test.