Hobart DUI Lawyer

Defending Against DUI Charges in and around the Hobart Area

If you are accused of driving under the influence (DUI) – also referred to as operating or driving while intoxicated (OWI or DWI) – our DUI lawyers at Arshad, Pangere & Warring are ready to help. This is a serious matter, and prosecutors aggressively seek convictions and harsh penalties. You should never wait to seek qualified defense representation.

DUI Charges in Hobart

When a police officer stops you and believes you might be operating your vehicle while intoxicated, the officer can conduct a breath test or field sobriety tests right there at the traffic stop. You can be arrested and charged with DUI if either of the following is true:

• Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is higher than the legal limit of 0.08 percent (or 0.02 percent for underage drivers)
• You show signs of intoxication

It is important to note that you can face DUI charges with a BAC below 0.08 if the officer claims they observed signs of impairment. 

You can face different types of charges depending on your situation, including:

• DUI and additional moving violations
• DUI and causing property damage or injuries
• Underage drinking or possession of alcohol
• First offense OWI
• Multiple DUI offenses
• DUI in a commercial vehicle
• DUI with a high BAC (over 0.15 percent)
• DUI with a passenger under age 18

No matter what the circumstances of your DUI arrest were, the possible penalties can be serious.

Consequences of a DUI Conviction

Our attorneys work to avoid DUI convictions for our clients whenever possible since the penalties for a DUI conviction are often harsh. A first-time OWI is a misdemeanor charge under many circumstances, and a sentence for a Class C misdemeanor conviction may include:

• 60 days in jail
• Fines of $500 or more
• Driver’s license suspension

If you face Class A misdemeanor charges for a high BAC or driving in a manner that was endangering to others, you face one year in jail and $5,000 in fines. In some cases, a DUI can be a felony, which means up to $10,000 in fines and 30 months in prison.

In addition to the penalties imposed as part of a DUI sentence, having a conviction on your permanent record can affect your life in many ways. Some lasting effects of a DUI conviction include:

• Difficulty finding a job
• Being ineligible for certain professions
• Losing a commercial driver’s license
• Suspension of your professional license
• Ineligibility for collegiate athletic programs and scholarships
• Trouble getting into higher education programs
• Higher insurance costs
• Immigration consequences

The good news is that there are ways to fight against a DUI conviction, and our lawyers can identify the best defense strategy in your case.

Seek Help from an Experienced Hobart DUI Lawyer Right Away

At the law firm of Arshad, Pangere & Warring, we know that mistakes happen, and you should not have to experience hardship for years to come due to a DUI case. Contact us right away if you have been arrested in the Hobart area.