Many criminal charges are the result of an otherwise law-abiding citizen having a momentary lapse in judgment. That is often the case with a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) or operating under the influence (OUI). Underestimating your alcohol intake, or overestimating your ability to metabolize what you’ve consumed, can lead to getting behind the wheel when you shouldn’t.

What happens next can be devastating. At a minimum, you could be facing misdemeanor charges that include jail time or monitoring; thousands of dollars in fines, fees, and costs; revocation of your driver’s license for months, and more.

At worst, you could be charged with a felony. Depending on your history of prior DUI offenses, you might have to spend nearly a year in jail; pay a fine of $10,000 in addition to fees and costs; and have your license permanently revoked, in addition to other penalties. That doesn’t even take into account other consequences, such as potential loss of jobs, relationships, and reputation, or injuries suffered in an accident you caused.

In short, a temporary mistake could permanently change your life. You can’t undo the past, but you can take steps to protect your future by retaining a strong Alaska DUI lawyer. Attorney Eric Derleth has over 25 years of experience successfully defending clients against DUI and related charges in Alaska.

What’s the Difference Between a DUI, OUI, and DWI?

The State of Alaska Criminal Code uses the term DUI (or Felony DUI). You may be wondering how that charge is different from OUI or DWI. The answer is that some municipalities use the term OUI for the same offense as what the state calls DUI. DWI is an outdated term that is no longer charged, but many lay people still refer to a DUI or OUI as a DWI.

Whether you have been charged with a DUI or OUI, you could be facing serious consequences, so you need to act quickly to preserve your rights.

Why You Need a DUI Attorney in Alaska

After being stopped for a DUI or OUI, you may want to put the experience out of your mind, but you don’t have that luxury: if you fail to request an administrative hearing within seven days, your driver’s license will be automatically suspended. Contacting a DUI lawyer immediately is your best option for staying on the road and otherwise minimizing disruption to your life.

Attorney Eric Derleth represents clients in Alaska DUI or OUI cases, including:

  • DUI: operation of a vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft while under the influence of alcohol, an inhalant, or a controlled substance
  • DUI-CMV: operation of a commercial motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, an inhalant, or a controlled substance
  • Refusal: refusal to submit to a chemical test (such as a Breathalyzer)
  • Refusal-CMV: refusal of an operator of a commercial motor vehicle to submit to a chemical test
  • DWLR: Driving while license is canceled, suspended, or revoked, or in violation of a limitation
  • DWLR-CMV: Driving a commercial motor vehicle without a lawful license to do so

Another reason to hire an attorney for a DUI case is that having a prior conviction increases the charge for subsequent offenses; for example, a third or subsequent DUI or refusal may be charged as a felony rather than a misdemeanor. Preventing a conviction today could help to protect you from much more serious consequences in the future. Working with an experienced Alaska DUI lawyer is crucial to protecting your rights and your future.

How an Experienced Alaska DUI Lawyer Makes a Difference

Alaska DUI cases succeed or fail on the evidence presented. If a prosecutor cannot succeed in proving beyond a reasonable doubt that someone is guilty of DUI or a related charge, that person cannot be convicted. Having an attorney with the experience and insight to poke holes in the prosecution’s case is critical to a successful defense.

Eric Derleth has over 25 years of trial experience in Alaska’s courts, but he doesn’t rely on his experience alone in representing clients. Eric is known as “the Trial Guy” because of the intensity of his trial preparation, his meticulous attention to detail, and his ability to communicate effectively with juries. He knows it is not enough to simply have the law or the facts on his client’s side, but to help the jury understand why they must find in his client’s favor—and motivate them to do so.

If you have been charged with DUI or OUI in Alaska, there is too much at risk to work with an inexperienced or underprepared attorney. To learn about your options and protect your rights, contact The Trial Guy and schedule a complimentary, no-obligation consultation today.