If you were arrested and charged with a DUI in Fort Smith, Arkansas or a neighboring City, please call the 1-800 number below to get in contact with an experienced DUI attorney to fight your case.

1-800-420-9444

Fort Smith, Arkansas DWI Criminal Defense Attorney

DWI in Fort Smith, Arkansas? It is crucial you seek the legal advice of a competent and knowledgeable DWI lawyer immediately. Being arrested for DWI is a serious offense that can have major consequences, including jail time, loss of driving privileges, and monetary fines. It is crucial that anyone facing a Arkansas DWI understand what challenges they will face. Call a Arkansas DWI defense attorney today for a fast, free consultation.

Arkansas DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) Administrative Hearing

If you do not request an administrative hearing within 7 days, your right to the hearing is lost, and your Arkansas driver's license is automatically suspended for the applicable statutory time frame. In order to preserve your right to an administrative hearing, it is crucial that you submit your request to the Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicles within 7 days. Contact an accomplished and experienced DWI defense attorney in Arkansas to help.

Pursuant to Arkansas law, an individual has 7 days to request an Administrative Hearing from the Arkansas OMV.

What happens if I was arrested for DWI in Fort Smith?

Pursuant to Arkansas law, once you have been cited for violating the DWI statute, the state initiates two separate, yet simultaneous legal actions against you. There is a criminal action in response to the ticket that was issued to you, and an administrative action is brought against your driver's license by the Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicles. Both actions can result in the suspension of your Arkansas driving privileges, but it is crucial to remember that there may be more penalties to consider. Also, each action must be handled separately.Contact a Arkansas DWI defense attorney today for a quick and easy consultation.

DWI Penalties for First Time Offenders

Monetary Fines - In Fort Smith, Arkansas, fines for a first time DWI range between $150.00, up to $1,000.00, plus court costs.
Arkansas Driving Privileges and DWI - In Fort Smith, Arkansas, a first time DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) conviction results in the revocation of Arkansas driving privileges for 120 days. A restricted permit may be requested if the offender's blood alcohol content (BAC) was below 0.15 and did not refuse chemical testing at the time of arrest.
Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement will result in the revocation of driver's license for 180 days.
Alcohol Evaluation - Successful completion of a DWI knowledge test and chemical assessment is required for reinstatement of Arkansas driving privileges.
Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement will result in the revocation of driver's license for 180 days.
Commercial Drivers - Commercial drivers are in violation of the DWI statute with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.04. A first time DUI or DWI conviction will result in the loss of the commercial driver's license for 1 year, while any subsequent DWI offenses will result in a lifetime loss of the Arkansas commercial license.

DWI Subsequent Offenses

Penalties are increasingly more severe for any additional DWI violations. Due to the complexity of DWI laws in Arkansas, you may not be aware of rights and options, including any defenses you might use. This is why an accomplished and experienced criminal defense lawyer can guide you through this emotionally challenging process. Please contact an Arkansas DWI - DUI for a consultation.

DWI Arrest

Upon arrest in Fort Smith, Arkansas, law enforcement will give the person an Official Driver's License Receipt and Notice of Suspension/Revocation of Driving Privilege. The police officer will take the driver's license. The Notice will also allow the person to drive for the next thirty days (if they have a valid license). The Notice will inform the person that they have seven (7) days to request an administrative hearing to determine if they were intoxicated or registered a .08% blood alcohol content (BAC) or refused the BAC test. Also, the person can request a restricted permit if they have no other alcohol offenses and if the blood alcohol content (BAC) is under .15 and the licensee did not refuse test.

If the person is found to have been intoxicated, their driver's license is suspended for...

120 days on first offense, (permit allowed)
two years for a second offense
thirty months for a third offense
four years for a fourth offense.

Before the person is reinstated they must complete an approved alcohol rehabilitation program and pay a $150.00 reinstatement fee. All of this action is rescinded if the person is acquitted of the charge in court. It is crucial you seek the legal advice of a competent and knowledgeable DWI lawyer immediately. Call today for a fast, free consultation.