DUI and Traffic Related Cases
A DUI in Washington D.C.
Police in Washington, D.C., constantly arrest people for Driving Under the Influence. In addition to the more common method of proving a DUI charge when a driver’s blood alcohol level is 0.08 or higher, prosecutors also can seek a conviction when a person is under the influence “to a noticeable degree.”
Police often look for questionable driving, red bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech, and failure to perform a field sobriety test or other indications of impairment, even if the driver’s blood alcohol level is below the 0.08 threshold. However, people often have explanations for failing field sobriety tests which police often ignore. Additionally, a guilty plea or conviction for DUI can stay on your record for life. The government, future employers, landlords, and lenders can see such convictions when they run background checks. Also, such a conviction or plea will cause your auto insurance premiums to rise significantly.
If a person has a commercial driver’s license, a DUI conviction can cost a person their job.
The Law and Your DUI
The penalties for a first DUI offense in D.C. include up to 180 days in jail, up to a $1,000 fine, and a license revocation for six months. For a second such conviction, the penalties include a minimum of 10 days and up to a year in jail, and a $2,500 to $5,000 fine and license revocation for six months.
The penalties for three or more DUI/DWI convictions include 15 days to one year in jail, a $2,500 to $10,000 fine and license revocation for six months. Additionally, conviction of a blood alcohol level of 0.20 or higher or DUI combined with narcotics carry mandatory jail time.
Refusing to provide a blood, breath, or urine sample can result in a 1 year license revocation. But doing so likely gives the government less evidence at a trial.
David Akulian: A DUI Lawyer for You
As an experienced DUI lawyer, I can defend clients against DUI charges by examining the police report, and the conditions and results of field sobriety and chemical tests. In many cases, I am able to argue for the suppression of evidence or the dismissal of the charges. I have attended and completed the Field Sobriety Test training and understand the methods law enforcement uses to obtain convictions. When you or someone you know is arrested for DUI, call me, a DUI lawyer you can trust who can help you get your case dismissed.
Taking a fair, open-minded approach to DUI offenses, the Law Firm of David Akulian, PLLC provides professional criminal defense and advocacy that helps to ensure the best possible legal outcome for all our defendants. Working as your partner, our focus is aimed at ensuring that your rights are upheld during the process and that you’ve got a proponent that you can rely on.
DUI Cases & How We Can Help You
DUI cases can be highly complex and the resulting final charges are often determined by a complicated set of factors. Understanding the system and its intricacies, our law firm works to fight for your every right.
Helping you move through the system with as little frustration and anxiety as possible is our focused intent. Though we can never make any promises in regards to the ultimate result, we do pledge our complete attention and use of resources on your behalf.
Schedule your discreet, comprehensive appointment at our Washington DC law firm and discover how a commitment to unparalleled service in legal matters can help you. Call us now.
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Operating after Revocation or Suspension of a Driver’s License or No Permit
In Washington, D.C., if your license has been suspended or revoked, and you are caught driving, you can be charged with a misdemeanor that carries a penalty more severe than a DUI. No permit is driving without a license of any kind, or driving while the individual’s license is suspended or revoked in another jurisdiction.
The penalty for Operating After revocation or suspension is up to one year in jail, $5000 in fines, and a court costs contribution of up to $250. In this jurisdiction, there is no specific requirement that the DMV provides notice that your license is suspended. However, because the Loftus case, this may be changing. In a recent court case, Loftus v. District of Columbia, the court found that someone who truly has no idea — and would have had no way of knowing — their license was suspended, may have a defense.
Major Traffic Violations
This law firm successfully represents individuals for cases involving speeding 30 mph over the limit, and Leaving After Colliding. Traffic offenses and moving violation convictions can result in points on your driver’s license. Points slowly fall off a driving record. Having an able, knowledgeable attorney who will challenge the government’s evidence will help your case.
Additionally, our law firm does NOT accept photo traffic tickets as they do not incur points on one’s driver’s license or permit.
Why Choose Us?
Founded by attorney David Akulian, our Washington D.C. office has helped thousands of defendants with clear, knowledgeable legal advice that is geared towards attaining the best legal outcome possible. Serving the legal community for more than four years owning his private law firm, Akulian brings more than 16 years of industry experience to each case, helping the fight for justice in all criminal cases.
