Vermont DUI Defense
Drunk driving laws in Vermont, as in nearly every other state, have evolved over the years. Legislators have found that championing stiffer penalties for drunk drivers is a reliably popular political issue. These changes have been designed to produce more and faster convictions and license suspensions. In addition legislators have done everything possible to limit the rights of accused drivers.
In most instances, Vermont will commence two separate cases against you when you are accused of a DUI/DWI: one criminal and one civil. If you fail to respond, or if you are unsuccessful in either, your license will be suspended for at least 90 days and until you comply with Vermont’s requirements for reinstatement.
If you have been arrested for a DWI/DUI in Vermont and the police claim that your breath test was over Vermont’s .08 BAC your license can suspended even without a hearing before a judge. Upon your arrest you will have been issued a “Notice of Intention to Suspend.” If you fail to return this notice and request a hearing your license will be suspended.
A Vermont DUI/DWI conviction will result - in all cases - with a license suspension of at least 90 days. In some cases, the state is permitted to suspend your license even absent a criminal conviction. The laws have been designed to permit the state to suspend your drivers license as quickly and as efficiently as possible. If you don’t know your rights, or you don’t understand the process, you risk giving up your right to contest the license suspension.
If you have been previously convicted of a DUI, in Vermont or any other state, and you are then charged again in Vermont, you will be charged with a second (or other multiple) offense. Except in some rare instances, prior DUI’s, regardless of the location of the conviction location or age, will count against you in a subsequent Vermont prosecution. Penalties for second and subsequent offenses increase dramatically from those for first offenses.
For more information on DUI laws in Vermont check out my FAQ page, or, give me a call for a free consultation.