Wichita DUI Defense Attorneys

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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 DUI lawyers at Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s Wichita office for a thorough explanation of what you are facing and what can be done in your defense.

Experienced DUI Defense Lawyers

JHC’s Wichita DUI defense attorneys have defended thousands of people charged with driving under the influence all across the state. In addition to knowing the applicable statutes and ordinances inside out, our DUI defense attorneys have gained significant experience and insight from representing people in dozens of counties across Kansas. We put that knowledge and experience to use in defending each and every one of our DUI clients.

Whether this was your first encounter with law enforcement or you are an old hand at the process, our Wichita DUI defense lawyers can help. Our experienced criminal defense lawyers have handled DUI cases involving physical injuries, property damage, allegations of driving under the influence of drugs, and DUI charges against minors.

Highly Skilled DUI Trial Attorneys

Our Wichita DUI lawyers are experienced trial attorneys who know how to make your case in the courtroom. We know what evidence matters most and how to challenge the prosecution’s case.

In addition to putting on evidence in your favor, we work to limit the admission of evidence against you. JHC’s Wichita DUI defense lawyers have a proven track record of protecting their client’s constitutional rights. Whether you were illegally detained, illegally searched, or illegally arrested, we have the experience and skills needed to safeguard your rights and prevent the prosecution from using wrongly gained evidence at trial.

Rules and laws also apply to police. Our DUI defense lawyers can identify their mistakes during the initial stop, the field sobriety tests, the arrest, and any test for blood alcohol concentration or drug impairment. Then, we use those mistakes to make sure you aren’t made into a victim of the court system. Put our tactful and aggressive style of courtroom advocacy to use as you face these charges.

Adept DUI Plea Negotiators

JHC’s Wichita DUI defense lawyers are familiar with the risks inherent in litigation and know that sometimes negotiation is necessary. Our Wichita DUI attorneys will review your case with you and help you make the best choice about how to handle your case. We are experienced negotiators who can get you a favorable plea bargain if you decide that a trial is not in your best interest. Because we know what prosecutors take into account when handling these cases, we know where there is room to negotiate and how much compromise can be made.

In addition to effectively advocating for mitigation when necessary, we can also help you decide whether a diversion is your best option. A diversion is one way to possibly avoid a conviction when other defenses might not be available, but it is not a “get out of jail free” card. By entering a diversion agreement, you may avoid a conviction altogether—obtaining full dismissal of charges after the diversion period terminates. But failing to comply with the terms of a diversion can sometimes automatically result in a conviction. Diversions are not available to everyone, and they are not in every person’s best interest. Our Wichita DUI lawyers will work with you and make sure that you understand the benefits, risks, rewards, and consequences of any course of action.

Your Defense During Driver’s License Revocation Proceedings

A DUI arrest can seriously harm your driving privileges, which may affect your finances, your career, and your family. The administrative process for action against your license is quick and requires your immediate attention. Our Wichita DUI defense attorneys are on it. We will request an administrative hearing on your behalf and help you determine whether you have any defenses that can preserve your driving privileges.

Assistance from a knowledgeable DUI lawyer can impact whether you keep your license or whether you lose it. A skilled DUI defense attorney will raise and argue the critical issues that make a difference to the hearing officer or in an appeal.

If you need a DUI lawyer in Wichita, Andover, or El Dorado, look no further. Call JHC today.

Top Questions About DUI Defense in Wichita, Kansas

The officers took my license and gave me a sheet of paper, what does this mean?

In almost every Kansas DUI arrest, law enforcement will take a driver’s physical license and give them a form known as a DC-27. When the officer gives you that form, a 30 day countdown starts that will end with the Kansas Department of Revenue suspending your driving privileges. The only way to stop that automatic suspension is to file an appeal with the Department of Revenue within 14 days. This is one of the reasons it is so important to contact a DUI lawyer as soon as possible after your arrest.

I was just arrested and the officers took my license, can I still drive?

In many cases, yes. If the officers gave you a form known as a DC-27 when they took your license, you are likely still able to drive for up to 30 days. The DC-27 actually serves as a temporary license. The Kansas Department of Revenue has a website where you can check the status of your driving privileges. However, every case is different, and you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your unique situation.

How do you stop the automatic driving suspension from taking effect?

Filing an appeal of your license suspension within 14 days of your arrest leads to a special hearing where arguments are made to an administrative hearing officer from the Kansas Department of Revenue. Whether or not the suspension takes effect depends on the outcome of that hearing. In addition, a conviction for driving under the influence can cause a license suspension, even if the Department of Revenue Administrative Hearing Officer dismisses the original suspension proceedings. The State of Kansas effectively gets “two bites at the apple” when it comes to license suspensions and DUIs. Similarly, it is possible to have the criminal case against you dismissed, but for you to still lose your license if the Department of Revenue makes certain findings. Every case is as different as every client. Call JHC’s Wichita DUI lawyers, and we can talk about your specific situation.

Will I ever be able to drive again if my license is suspended?

In almost all cases, yes. The (effective) suspension period can range from a few days to several years. Once the suspension is lifted you might be required to have an interlock device installed in your vehicle for some period of time ranging from six months to several years. The length of a suspension, of any interlock requirements, and the nature of the interlock restrictions vary based on a few situations. Refusing to give a blood, breath, or urine sample to an officer when the officer was allowed to request such a sample can lead to a longer suspension and harsher interlock requirements. A blood alcohol content (BAC) sample measuring at greater than 0.15% can lead to a longer suspension or harsher interlock requirements. The length of a suspension and interlock requirement period increases significantly if there are prior incidents on a person’s record.