Reader’s Question:

There is really never a good time to be arrested for DUI. We went out to celebrate my birthday. Of course, we had some drinks. I was the one who drove ourselves home and unexpectedly, we were stopped for a DUI suspicion. I failed the blood alcohol test, thus I was charged for DUI. I want to get the best legal representation. But I want to know, how much would be the fees for an Oklahoma DUI lawyer?

Camden

Lawton, OK

A DUI case is a unique situation. You have to face both conventional court proceedings and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) unlike most other criminal cases. You are right; there is never a good time to be arrested for DUI. So in cases like this, you will need the service of an expert Oklahoma DUI lawyer.

An Oklahoma DUI attorney fees differ greatly, depending on a lot of factors of the case. The fee is normally very high, but could be paid in affordable, easy options. The variation in fee is based on how much effort is expected and involved in the case. A good DUI attorney also adjusts his fee structure to the financial situation of his clients.

Most DUI attorneys follow “set fee structures” when quoting the fee for the cases, regardless of their complexity. That means that you may overpay for DUI attorney services. Overpaying could also occur when a lawyer says that his price quote contains the trial fee.

Just to give you a general idea as to how much would be the fee for an Oklahoma DUI lawyer; it usually ranges from $500-$2,000 depending on the gravity of the offense. But DUI lawyers normally offer free initial consultation. You can learn your rights and choices on the DUI case during the consultation. You can move on to another attorney office if you are not satisfied with the lawyer.

Reader’s Question:

My wife has been charged with DUI here in Oklahoma and part of my concern is, of course, her auto insurance rates. Does that mean that it will go up once she gets convicted? What are the best options that we have now?

Clark

Norman, OK

I have to be honest with you that if your wife will be convicted for her DUI charge in Oklahoma, her insurance company will not give her a big refund. We have to face the fact that insurance companies are private companies and they are here to make money. Reality is they don’t care about you. Insurance companies are there to take your money for years but when you try to make a claim, they will try to avoid paying you.

Unless they decide to cancel you altogether, expect that your insurance company will raise their rates substantially if your wife receives a DUI conviction. It might also be more difficult to obtain automobile insurance after a DUI conviction.

This may sound somewhat odd, but if you can get along without an automobile, then do so. After all, you would save a lot of money. But if you think that this option will not work for you, shopping around would definitely help you in getting the lowest rates possible that you can get. You can start by searching different insurance companies through the internet. They are a lot of advertised insurance companies that offer free no-obligation consultation and price quote.

Reader’s Question:

I am a Communication Arts major and was tasked to do a little research about drunk driving laws and bills that have not passed here in Oklahoma. Can you give me detailed information of a bill that has not passed the House and the Senate? Your help would definitely narrow down my research.

Robert

Oklahoma City, OK

A Democratic Representative has authored a bill that would have DUI convictions noted on Oklahoma driver’s licenses. This bill calls for an Oklahoma DUI conviction to be noted on the offender’s driver’s license after the first conviction and the notation would stay on the driver’s license for up to four years. It can only be removed after four years if the person has not had another Oklahoma DUI conviction during that time.

The Representative said that the bill is designed to reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities in the state of Oklahoma. He notes that 39% of the traffic fatalities in the state were alcohol-related in 2005.

Any Oklahoma resident with a DUI conviction in the past four years would be forced to reveal that conviction when boarding a plane, buying cigarettes, cashing a check, entering a bar of the other times when their driver’s license is used as proof of age or identification.

Reader’s Question:

A week ago, my boyfriend and I were on our way home when a patrol officer asked us to pull over because of a DUI suspicion. My boyfriend was the one on the wheels and he was asked some questions. I never know of someone who was charged for DUI here in Oklahoma. He didn’t know what to do either. He was charged for DUI that night. I don’t deny that I have drunk and drove sometimes. If in case in the future I get pulled over and asked some questions because of drunk driving, what would be the best thing for me to do?

Michelle

Tulsa, OK

When you are pulled over, the first thing that will happen is the police officer will ask you for your license and registration. In Oklahoma, it is required by law that you provide these documents when asked. Afterwards, the officer will likely begin to ask questions.

You don’t need to answer any questions. You have the right to remain silent if you think what you will say will be able to incriminate you. The officer could make you feel as though you have to answer questions. Remember that you have no legal reason to do so. You can politely refuse to answer the questions. Keep in mind that slurring can be used as evidence that you drank alcohol, so remaining silent is a good option. The officer may ask you to step out to perform field sobriety tests. These tests are used to give the police officer an idea of whether you are drunk or not. The Oklahoma DUI law doesn’t require you to perform these tests, so you can politely refuse.

There is one test that you can’t refuse, though. That would be the chemical blood alcohol content test. Your breath, urine or blood can be tested. You have already implied your consent to this test if you have an Oklahoma driver’s license. You will be charged for higher penalties for your DUI if you refuse to take it. The test can be performed at the scene using a breathalyzer or at the police station if you wish a urine or blood test performed.

If you know you are intoxicated, you may be tempted to refuse to take the chemical test. That is a bad idea in most cases. Your driver’s license will be automatically suspended. Remember that a positive test doesn’t necessarily mean that you would be convicted in the end of a DUI. Talk to a DUI lawyer first to find out what is the best course of action for your situation if you are considering refusing to take the test.

Reader’s Question:

I seriously need a hand in the problem I have now with my boyfriend. He is actually an illegal immigrant here in the US. He was charged with DUI in Oklahoma. Police said that he struck a 5-year old kid that caused an injury to the child. Does this mean that he will be deported?

Erica

Oklahoma City, OK

Having a run-in with the law enforcement would allow immigration authorities to be alerted to a particular person’s status. If an illegal immigrant can’t show a proper visa or green card, that means when their criminal or civil proceedings are completed, he/she will be deported.

In your boyfriend’s case, since he was charged with DUI in Oklahoma and he is an illegal immigrant, an immigration hold might have been placed on him. This means that when his criminal proceedings for the current charges are either dismissed or when he finishes serving his time if he will be convicted, he will be transferred to an immigration detention center to await his deportation.

We have to bear on mind that even a very simple encounter with the law such as a traffic stop for DUI suspicion can alert authorities to an illegal status or expired visa, and could result in deportation for illegal immigrants.