{"id":270,"date":"2015-02-24T21:05:58","date_gmt":"2015-02-24T21:05:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lipsitzgreenwp.wpengine.com\/dwi\/?p=270"},"modified":"2018-08-02T15:39:44","modified_gmt":"2018-08-02T15:39:44","slug":"pleading-guilty-and-what-a-dwi-conviction-involves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lipsitzgreen.com\/dwi\/2015\/02\/24\/pleading-guilty-and-what-a-dwi-conviction-involves\/","title":{"rendered":"Pleading Guilty and What a DWI Conviction Involves"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have been arrested for a DWI, pleading guilty is an option. If you plan to plead guilty, it means you are waiving many of your rights. You will not have the\u00a0right to remain silent, challenge the conviction, or ask for a jury trial.<\/p>\n

If you plead guilty, it means you will be convicted of the offense. People are not always\u00a0aware that pleading guilty means conviction in the same way that a jury may\u00a0find you guilty. Once convicted, you cannot withdraw your plea.<\/span><\/section>\n
<\/section>\n

<\/p>\n

If you are considering pleading guilty, you will benefit from seeking an attorney’s\u00a0advice. An experienced lawyer can examine the facts of your case and decide\u00a0whether a guilty plea is the best course of action. This is a serious matter,\u00a0and you want to make sure you make the best possible decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\" If you have been arrested for a DWI, pleading guilty is an option that is equal to a conviction.<\/span><\/div>\n

Consequences of a conviction<\/h2>\n

In all states, a first-time DWI conviction is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months\u00a0in jail, accompanied with hefty fines. First-time, non-injury DWI offenders,\u00a0however, are sometimes sentenced from one to three days in jail. Certain states\u00a0decree that a minimum number of days must be served in jail, but if it is a\u00a0first-time, non-injury offense, the number of days will typically not exceed\u00a0three days.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to substantial financial penalties, most states require offenders to attend\u00a0mandatory DWI school, which is also costly. Licenses are most often suspended\u00a0for up to a year, although most states will allow people to drive to and from\u00a0work or for medical purposes. Agreeing to have an ignition interlock system\u00a0that tests blood alcohol levels helps in this matter. The device is installed\u00a0in your car and requires that you pass its breathalyzer test before the car’s\u00a0motor starts, ensuring you won’t drive the vehicle while intoxicated.<\/span><\/p>\n

The length of a DUI probation period differs based on the state and the circumstances involved in the drunk-driving charge. The DUI probation period for a misdemeanor offense ranges from three months to one year. For a more serious DUI charge, the probation period may last several years. Some\u00a0states have a zero tolerance for blood alcohol content during this time.\u00a0Convictions are also made available to the DMV.<\/span><\/p>\n

Differentiating factors in DWI cases<\/h2>\n

If you have more than one DWI, your case is significantly more serious. Judges\u00a0pay particular attention to cases where there are repeat offenses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Blood alcohol levels slightly above .08 or field sobriety tests indicating the driver was\u00a0not significantly impaired usually result in minimum sentencing. A BAC of .15\u00a0or more is considered to be a threat on the road and, if there is evidence of\u00a0bad driving, sentencing can be more severe. Each state has minimum and maximum\u00a0sentences for DWIs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seek an experienced attorney<\/h2>\n

Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria, located in Western New York<\/a>,\u00a0 has significant\u00a0experience in DWI cases. We provide a tough and effective defense and provide free, easy-to-access, state-of-the-art technology<\/a> that can help in the event of a\u00a0DWI arrest or accident.<\/span><\/p>\n

This article does not purport to give legal advice and is for informational purposes only.<\/p>\n