Lawrence DUI Defense Lawyers

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Driving while intoxicated (DWI) and operating under the influence (OUI) can land you in jail and result in fines and a suspended driver’s license. Joseph, Hollander & Craft has skilled Lawrence DUI defense attorneys who are ready for anything that comes their way. Contact us in Lawrence today to learn more.

Why Choose our DUI Defense Lawyers in Lawrence?

It is important to hire an attorney experienced with DUI defense. At Joseph, Hollander & Craft, our lawyers have successfully defended hundreds of felony and misdemeanor DUI cases in Lawrence Municipal Court, Douglas County District Court, and surrounding courthouses.

Among our Lawrence DUI defense attorneys are former prosecutors with experience from the other side of DUI cases. They know the intricacies of DUI statutes and case law as well as the tactics DUI prosecutors will use against you. Always on your side, our Lawrence DUI lawyers will use their prosecution experience to put you in the best position to defend your case.

We defend all manner of alcohol-related offenses, including:

• Misdemeanor DUI
• Felony DUI
• DUI with injury
• Minor in possession
• Minor in consumption
• Open container violations
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Vehicular homicide
• Involuntary manslaughter

We also handle DUI, OUI, and related offenses involving drug use.

Smart Solutions for Every Situation

Our Lawrence DUI attorneys also defend all manner of alcohol-related offenses, including:

• Misdemeanor DUI
• Felony DUI
• DUI with injury
• Minor in possession
• Minor in consumption
• Open container violations
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Vehicular homicide
• Involuntary manslaughter

We also handle DUI, OUI, and related offenses involving drug use.

Potential Penalties for DUI Conviction in Kansas

A first-time DUI conviction could result in up to six months of jail time, fines of up to $1,000, and court and probation costs. In addition, your driver’s license can be suspended for 30 days or more, and an ignition interlock device can be installed in your vehicle for 180 days or more.

For each additional DUI conviction, penalties increase. A second DUI conviction can result in up to 12 months of jail time, a fine of $1,750, and a one-year driver’s license suspension. A misdemeanor third DUI can be penalized with a fine of up to $2,500 in addition to jail time and licensing penalties.

Some third DUIs and all fourth and subsequent DUI offenses are level 6 felonies and therefor subject to sentencing in accordance with the Kansas sentencing grid applicable to nondrug offenses. In addition, any DUI that results in serious injury or death can be charged as a felony.

If you are facing DUI charges in Lawrence Municipal Court, Douglas County District Court, or any of the surrounding cities or counties, call Joseph, Hollander & Craft. Our DUI defense attorneys can help.

How Our Lawrence DUI Defense Attorneys Protect Your Rights

At Joseph, Hollander & Craft, we believe everyone deserves a rigorous defense. We have decades of experience with suppression motions, challenges to unreasonable detentions and arrests, excluding breath and blood test results, and challenges to compelled field sobriety tests. Our Lawrence DUI defense attorneys will employ any constitutional or technical defenses that may be present in your case.

All of the attorneys at Joseph, Hollander & Craft are skilled trial advocates with decades of jury trial experience. We can leverage motions to exclude evidence against you and hire expert witnesses to challenge claims regarding your impairment or blood alcohol concentration (BAC). We know exactly how to cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses to expose the shortcomings of their investigations.

We love the courtroom, and we love to win. But we also understand that risk is inherent in all litigation. Our Lawrence DUI defense attorneys strive to guide you toward the best outcome for your specific case—whether or not it involves a trial. If your case is not right for trial, we may suggest diversion (deferred prosecution) or negotiate a plea agreement on your behalf. We know what prosecutors consider when evaluating these trial alternatives and will advise you accordingly. Our paramount goal is helping you resolve your case on the best possible terms.

Helping Clients Facing License Suspension and Revocation

Our clients are often just as concerned about the impact of losing their drivers’ licenses as they are about the possibility of jail. Our Lawrence DUI defense lawyers regularly represent clients in driver’s license revocation proceedings—aiming to help our clients keep their licenses or minimize the length of suspension. This requires knowing the law and the administrative hearing process, including appeals, and a skilled DUI defense attorney can be critical to getting favorable results.

If you have been arrested for a DUI or OUI, you only have 14 days to request a hearing to fight the suspension of your license. Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s DUI attorneys in Lawrence can make the request for you and represent you at the hearing. But you must act fast.

Frequently Asked Questions About DUI Charges in Lawrence

What is the law on blood alcohol (BAC) and DUI?

A breath, blood, or urine test with a result of .08% or higher triggers a presumption of impairment — meaning the prosecution can rely on that measurement alone to try to convict you. (If you have not yet reached the age of 21, a BAC of .02% triggers a presumption of impairment. )

While it is not common, you can still be charged with a DUI even if you have a BAC below the legal limit. The prosecution only has to prove that you were impaired (from alcohol or drugs) to an extent that made you incapable of driving safely. Police gather evidence of that impairment from field sobriety tests and general observations of a driver’s behavior during a car stop.

Will a DUI or OUI conviction affect my license?

If you are pulled over for drunk driving, the officer may take your driver’s license and give you a notice of suspension that functions as a temporary license. In Kansas, you have 14 days to request a hearing to challenge the suspension of your license. You should promptly request an in-person hearing, or you will lose your driving privileges. A conviction for DUI can also trigger a suspension in Kansas. You need to win your challenge to the proposed administrative suspension of your license and avoid a conviction in criminal court (or get a diversion) to keep your license without suspension or restriction.

If you’ve been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), you need to act quickly. A conviction for driving under the influence can result in a jail sentence and fines owed to the court, but simply being arrested for a DUI can result in your driver’s license being suspended within a matter of days. Contact the experienced Wichita DUI defense lawyers at Joseph, Hollander & Craft for a thorough explanation of what you are facing and what can be done in your defense.

Can I refuse field sobriety testing? A roadside breath test? A blood test?

Under the implied consent laws applicable in Kansas, you can refuse field sobriety testing and breath testing without being charged with a crime, but your refusal may result in suspension or restriction of your driver’s license. If you refuse this testing and an officer believes you have been operating under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating substance, a warrant may be obtained for a blood sample. A warrant is a court order requiring the collection of evidence. With a warrant, law enforcement can take your blood sample without your consent.

What effect will a DUI conviction have on my child’s future?

A DUI can impair your child’s eligibility for scholarships, reduce chances for admission to their dream college and even impact future employment opportunities. It is important to engage an experienced DUI attorney to decide how to address charges in a manner best suited to protecting your child’s future.

When consulting with an attorney, discuss whether diversion is an option, or if there are possible defenses that will result in no conviction. Talk about expungement eligibility for each outcome and the waiting period that will apply.

What effect will a DUI conviction have on my CDL?

A first DUI in Kansas will result in loss of your CDL for at least one year.

The same consequence will apply to:

• Driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) if your blood alcohol concentration is .04% or higher.
• Refusing to undergo blood alcohol testing.
• Leaving the scene of an accident.
• Using a vehicle to commit a felony.
• Driving a CMV when your CDL is revoked, suspended, or cancelled, or the driver is disqualified from operating a CMV.
• Causing a fatality through negligent operation of a CMV

Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s defense attorneys assist CDL holders facing all of these charges. If you have been arrested or charged with an offense that may impact your ability to continue working as a commercial motor vehicle operator, contact us for a consultation today.

Do You Have a DUI Defense Attorney Near Me?

Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s office in Lawrence is located at 5200 Bob Billings Pkwy, at the intersection with Legends Drive. There is onsite parking as well as an additional lot across the street. We also maintain offices in Overland Park, Topeka, Wichita, and Kansas City, MO.