Impact on a License After a DC DUI Arrest

During the 10 days following a DC DUI arrest, the client and attorney should meet to discuss the situation and start to gather documents for medical or other issues.

They can identify possible witnesses who can testify about whether the person was drinking and how much, and take pictures at the scene of the arrest. Ideally, this is done before the first court date.

To determine any other steps that an individual should take following their DC DUI arrest, including the impact on their license, it is important that they consult with a knowledgeable DUI lawyer in DC. An experienced attorney can guide an individual through the legal process and assist in building an effective defense strategy.

Contacting the DMV

When someone has a DC driver’s license, they have 10 days from the date of their DC DUI arrest to sign up for a hearing at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). During those first 10 days, a person should make sure that any issues that may have impacted their license are addressed, and contact an attorney who can start working on the case.

If a person does not sign up for a hearing during that time, their license is automatically suspended. A person arrested for DUI should contact a lawyer who can schedule the hearing for the client.

The lawyer can make sure that the hearing is properly scheduled so that the client does not have their license suspended at that time in the process. When someone has an out-of-state license, they have 15 days to register for the hearing.

Driving the Car

Unless a person is suspended, they can drive their car after an arrest. During the first 10 days there is no real issue with driving a car.

Further, when the police arrest someone and take them to the station after a DC DUI arrest, they may park the person’s car in a place where the person can get to it once they are released.

Challenging a Suspension

An attorney can take the step of scheduling the initial hearing after a DC DUI case. They attend the hearing and challenge the suspension. Often, the officer involved does not show at the hearing. If they do show up for the hearing, the attorney can question the officer about their role and use that information to prepare for the court date.

When the officer does not show up, the case is held in abeyance until the court case is resolved. When the court case is favorably resolved, there is usually no suspension of privileges. If the court case results in a guilty plea or a guilty finding at trial, there is a license suspension. Any further impact on a person’s license following a DC DUI arrest can be best explained by an attorney.

Hearing Process

When someone wants to challenge the suspension, their attorney schedules the hearing. If the officer comes to the hearing, the attorney cross-examines the officer and the officer testifies about what they believe they saw.

The attorney makes arguments about why the person’s license should not be suspended. When the officer does not show, the case is held in abeyance until the court case is resolved. If the court case is resolved favorably, there is usually no suspension.