Council Bluffs, Iowa OWI / DWI Attorney

Being charged with OWI is a serious offense that can have major repercussions, including loss of driving privileges, jail time, and monetary fines. It is crucial that anyone facing a OWI (DWI) charge understand what challenges they will encounter. It is imperative you seek the legal advice of an aggressive and skilled OWI attorney immediately. Call a capable and professional OWI lawyer today for a free, professional consultation.

What happens if I was arrested for OWI in Council Bluffs?

Pursuant to Iowa law, once you have been cited for violating the OWI 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 license by the Iowa DOT. Both actions can result in the suspension of your Iowa driving privileges, but it is imperative to remember that there may be additional penalties to consider. Also, each action must be handled separately.Contact a Iowa OWI lawyer today for a consultation.

Iowa Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) Administrative Hearing

Pursuant to Iowa law, an individual has 10 (ten) days to request an Administrative Hearing from the Iowa DOT. If you fail to request a hearing within 10 (ten) days, your right to the hearing is lost, and your driver's license in Iowa 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 Iowa DOT within 10 (ten) days. Contact a capable and professional OWI lawyer in Council Bluffs, Iowa to help, but do not delay.

OWI Penalties for First Time Offenders

• Iowa Driving Privileges and OWI - An OWI conviction results in the revocation of the offender's driver's license for 180 days. If the offender's blood alcohol content (BAC) is lower than 0.15, and has no other OWI-related revocations within 12 years, he or she is eligible to apply for a temporary restricted license.
• Time in Jail - In Council Bluffs, Iowa, a first time OWI (DWI) offender faces a 48 hour minimum mandatory imprisonment, with a maximum of 1 year in jail. However, in some instances, the jail sentence may be deferred or suspended by the court.
• Monetary Fines - In Council Bluffs, Iowa, fines for a first time OWI are $700.00 up to $1250.00, however, the court may order that the offender perform community service in lieu of paying the fine.
• Commercial Drivers - Commercial drivers are in violation of the OWI statute with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level of 0.04. A first time OWI / DWI conviction will result in the loss of the CDL (commercial driver's license) for 1 (one) year, while any subsequent OWI (DWI) offenses will result in a lifetime loss of the commercial license.
• Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement in Iowa will result in the revocation of Iowa driver's license for 1 year.
• Substance Asuse Evaluations and Treatment - An OWI offender must complete and pay for a substance abuse evaluation. The offender agrees to follow the recommendations of the evaluation, per the court's orders.

Other Iowa OWI Costs

Beyond any fines and court costs you will have to pay in Council Bluffs, Iowa, there are numerous other charges that can add up and cost you a lot of money. Some of the other costs for OWI might include:

• Vehicle Storage - After your vehicle is towed, it has to be stored somewhere in Council Bluffs, Iowa, which is an additional cost.
• Towing - Having your vehicle towed can be quite expensive.
• Auto Insurance - On top of everything else, once you do get your driver's license back, there is a good chance your monthly premium is going to be higher.
• Loss of Wages - When you begin to add in the money lost by missing work, the amount really begins to add up quickly.

There are many "hidden costs" when it comes to getting a OWI in Council Bluffs, Iowa. This is why you should contact an assertive and professional OWI criminal defense attorney for a free, professional consultation.

Iowa Implied Consent

Iowa's implied consent law means that any person who operates a motor vehicle in the state agrees to have a blood, breath and/or urine test performed to determine alcohol level or presence of drugs, whenever a law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person is operating under the influence or is otherwise impaired.

OWI Subsequent Offenses

Penalties are increasingly more severe for any additional OWI violations. Due to the complexity of OWI laws in Iowa, you may not be aware of rights and options. This is why an assertive and professional criminal defense attorney can guide you through this emotionally challenging process. Please contact a OWI or DWI attorney for a free, professional consultation.

Driving While License is Revoked

A person who drives while their driver's license is revoked under the Iowa OWI law commits a misdemeanor and must pay a fine of $1,000. Law enforcement officers may impound vehicles, if the driver's license of the person is revoked for an OWI. If a driver is convicted of a second or subsequent OWI / DWI offense amd driving with a revoked license, the vehicle that is being operated must be seized and forfeited to the state. The owner of a vehicle who lends the vehicle to a person whose license is revoked for an OWI commits a misdemeanor. Please contact a local Council Bluffs, Iowa OWI attorney for help with your case.

Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.